WRAL Sports Fan

Bulls

Bulls De La Rosa named an International League All-Star

Jun 27, 2012

Durham, N.C. — The International League today announced the rosters for the 2012 Triple-A All-Star Game in Buffalo. Bulls closer Dane De La Rosa will represent Durham in the midsummer classic taking place at Coca-Cola Field on July 11.

De La Rosa leads the Bulls with a career-high seven saves on the season and holds a 3.43 ERA. Since posting a 6.10 ERA in April, De La Rosa has been lights out for Durham. In May and June, the 6’7” righty owns a 2.48 ERA in 29.0 IP. This includes a stretch from 5/14 to 6/21 where the Southern Californian held a 0.45 ERA in 13 games, a total of 20.0 IP where he allowed just one earned run. He continues to lead relievers in the league with a .156 batting average against (21-for-135) as well as the highest strikeouts per 9.0 IP mark at 12.20 (53 SO in 39.1 IP). 

After spending a year out of baseball (2006) and the better part of four seasons in three different independent leagues, De La Rosa signed a contract with the Rays prior to the start of the 2010 season. He finally got his big break last season, when his journey culminated with a promotion to Tampa Bay on July 19, 2011.

The Durham closer will join former Bulls Russ Canzler, Dan Johnson, Dioner Navarro and Chris Bootcheck on the IL squad in Buffalo. The game between International League and Pacific Coast League stars will be broadcast live from Coca-Cola Field on MLB Network, the American Forces Network, and the Triple-A All-Star Game Radio Network.