Pair from Mud Hens join all-star staff

5/23/2006

Mud Hens pitching coach Jeff Jones and trainer Matt Rankin will join Hens manager Larry Parrish on the International League coaching and training staff for the 19th Annual Triple-A All-Star Game at Fifth Third Field on Wednesday, July 12 at 7 p.m.

Jones pitched from 1980-84 in the big leagues with the Oakland Athletics.

This is his 12th season as the Mud Hens' pitching coach, and he has been in the Detroit organization for 18 years.

Rankin, a graduate of Ohio University, has been a trainer in the Tigers organization for 11 years, including six with the Mud Hens.

Omaha Royals skipper Mike Jirschele will manage the Pacific Coast League All-Stars.

After a day off yesterday, the Mud Hens return home tonight to begin a four-game series against Buffalo, a farm team of the Cleveland Indians. Tomorrow's 10:30 a.m. game against the Bisons will be Toledo's final "School Day" of the year.

Rochester will follow Buffalo into town, beginning a four-game series on Saturday night at Fifth Third Field.

The Mud Hens are hoping the home cooking will lead to better results on the field. Toledo has lost seven of its last 10 games to fall four games behind first-place Indianapolis.