Salt Lake Bees well-represented for Triple-A All-Star game

For a team only three games above .500, the Salt Lake Bees were well-represented when the Triple-A All-Star selections were announced.

Three Bees — infielder Brandon Wood, outfielder Terry Evans and relief pitcher Jeremy Hill — were voted in to play for the Pacific Coast League stars in tonight's ESPN2-televised game against the International League stars. The game will be played in Portland and begins at 8 p.m.

No other team had more players selected — although Wood will not play since he was promoted to the parent Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last week.

"Our team is well-represented, and they deserve it," said Bees manager Bobby Mitchell. "It is good for our team and a good representation for the Angels' organization."

Evans is no stranger to the Triple-A All-Star Game. He represented the Bees two summers ago in the game and enjoyed the experience. After an injury-plagued 2008 campaign, Evans is once again playing at an all-star level. He has 17 homers and 60 RBIs already this season.

"Anytime you get voted on to an all-star team, obviously, it is a huge honor," said Evans. "I'm excited about going."

Evans admits that having a few days away from the day-to-day grind of a long season might have been nice, but he's treating his trip to Portland as a family getaway.

Since the Bees, coincidentally, play at Portland when the regular season resumes on Thursday, Evans chose to take his wife, Tanner, and his baby son, Asher, with him for the entire All-Star break and the ensuing Bees series against the Beavers.

"It will still be a break from baseball," Evans said.

In addition to playing in tonight's game, Evans was chosen to participate in Monday night's Triple-A Home Run Derby, where he said his main goal was "just not to embarrass myself."

Evans certainly didn't embarrass himself, hitting five homers in the first round to advance to the semifinals. He only hit one homer in the semis, but he still showed that he has some long-ball pop in his bat.

Hill was chosen for the game for his first-half performance as one of the best closers in the PCL. He has 17 saves on the season, third-best in the league.

"I'm honored just to be a part of the game," said Hill. "I'm planning on just having a good time and — if I get in the game — compete to the best of my ability. I just want to soak it all in more than anything else."

Bees second baseman Sean Rodriguez, meanwhile, seemed like he would have been a natural for the All-Star Game. He leads the PCL with 22 homers and his 66 RBIs are third-best in the league.

But Rodriguez was up with the parent Angels when the all-star participants were announced. He is now back with the Bees, but it was too late for him to land a spot on the PCL's 25-man roster.

Triple-A All-Star Game

Tonight, 8 p.m.

Portland's PGE Park

TV: ESPN2

e-mail: lojo@desnews.com