RHP Chris Perez & SS Asdrubal Cabrera earn consecutive AL All-Star honors
CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Indians and Major League Baseball today announced RHP CHRIS PEREZ and INF ASDRUBAL CABRERA have been named American League All-Stars for the second consecutive season.
Chris Perez, who turns 27 today, is currently tied for the Major League lead with 23 saves in 24 chances (96%). So far in 2012 he has posted a record of 0-1 with a 2.76 ERA in 31 relief appearances (29.1IP, 23H, 9R/ER, 7BB, 30K, .207AVG). His current streak of 23 consecutive save conversions (since April 8) is the second longest mark in franchise history within a single-season (Jose Mesa saved 38 straight in 1995). The Tampa, FL native has limited Major League hitters to a .207 (23-111) average against, the 17th lowest mark in the AL among relievers. This is the second consecutive All-Star selection for Perez, who tossed a scoreless inning in the 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix in his All-Star debut. The last Indians reliever to make consecutive All-Star teams was Jose Mesa in 1995-96.
Asdrubal Cabrera, 26, is hitting .298 (81-272) with 18 doubles, 1 triple, 11 home runs and 40 RBI in 68 games in 2012. He has been red-hot of late, hitting .323 (21-65) with 3 2B, 6HR & 15RBI over his last 16 games since June 14 and now ranks 16th in the American League in batting average (.298). He currently ranks 10th in the American League in on-base percentage (.379), is 16th in on-base plus slugging pct (.872) and 2nd with a .374 (43-115) mark with runners on base. He currently leads all American League shortstops in slugging pct (.493) and OPS (.872) and is second in HR (11) and RBI (40). The last Indians shortstop to make consecutive All-Star teams was Omar Vizquel in 1998-99. Cabrera made his All-Star debut last year (0-for-2), starting at shortstop for the AL club due to an injury to Derek Jeter.
Both Indians representatives were selected by their peers in last weekend’s MLB player voting.
Indians Head Athletic Trainer LONNIE SOLOFF will also be representing the Indians in Kansas City on Tuesday, July 10th. The 83rd All-Star Game in Kauffman Stadium will air on FOX Sports and WJW-TV8 locally at 7:30 PM ET.