51s vs. Bees 4-Game Series Preview

51^s HOST SALT LAKE BEES IN FOUR-GAME HOMESTAND FROM JUNE 22-25; 51^s JERSEY NIGHT ON SATURDAY

AND VALUE MENU MONDAY ON JUNE 24

                LAS VEGAS: The Las Vegas 51^s professional baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, will open a brief four-game homestand on Saturday, June 22 against the Salt Lake Bees, Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, at Cashman Field at 7:05 p.m.  The 51^s will play their final Sunday home “day” game of the season on June 23 at 12:05 p.m. The four remaining Sunday “home” games of the 2013 campaign will be played in the evening (July 28, August 11, 25 and September 1).  The homestand against the Bees will conclude on Monday-Tuesday, June 24-25 at 7:05 p.m.

                The 51^s, under manager Wally Backman, are concluding a brief four-game road trip in Tucson, Ariz., against the Padres, Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, on Friday evening.  Las Vegas, 37-34, is in second place in the Pacific Southern Division, two games behind the Sacramento River Cats, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s.

                2013 ATTENDANCE: In 36 dates, Las Vegas’ total is 186,711 for an average of 5,186.  Las Vegas’ season-high crowds, which include three sellouts, are 11,776 against Round Rock on May 10 and 11,522 for the 10^th Annual School Day Game against Albuquerque on May 14 at Cashman Field.  The Las Vegas franchise has reached the 300,000 plateau in “home” attendance in all 30 seasons (1983-2012) and the all-time attendance total now stands at 10,173,225.  The 51^s organization have the proud distinction of being the longest enduring franchise in the history of professional sports in the state of Nevada. 

                51^s Jersey Night will be presented in the opener of the homestand on Saturday evening. The first 2,500 fans through the gates will receive the attractive “51^s Black Jersey.”  The gates will open at 6 p.m. and the first pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

                Value Menu Monday will be presented in game three of the series on June 24.  Monday “home” games will feature a “Value Menu” for the fifth straight season.  The 51^s and Aramark have teamed together for discounted food items on Hot Dogs, Popcorn, Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and Pretzels for just $1.00 per item.

               First baseman Efren Navarro is in his third season with Salt Lake. He attended UNLV and was drafted in the 50^th round by the Angels of June 2007 First-Year Player Draft. He made his Major League debut on September 2, 2011 vs. Minnesota and recorded his first MLB hit vs. Texas (2-for-4, double) on September 28, 2011. He is a three-time Angels Minor League Defensive Player of the Year (2008, 2011, 2012) and was the recipient of a Rawlings Gold Glove Award for defensive excellence at his position in 2011.

                In 2013, he is the third leading hitter in the PCL with a .340 batting average in 67 games (83-for-244).