He's had a few errors the first couple days, but it's getting back to playing every day. The same things that got him to the big leagues are the same things that he is doing now that he's back here. – Keith Johnson, Salt Lake Bees manager
SALT LAKE CITY— Just a couple of days removed from his first Major League call-up to the Los Angeles Angels, Luis Jimenez still remains an anchor at third base for Salt Lake Bees manager Keith Johnson.
It wasn't quite Jimenez's night Wednesday, however, as he finished the game 0 for 3 with a walk in a 17-6 loss to Memphis.
"He's had a few errors the first couple days, but it's getting back to playing every day," said Johnson. "The same things that got him to the big leagues are the same things that he is doing now that he's back here."
Although Jimenez didn’t have a stellar numbers batting for the Halos — he hit .232 with three doubles and a pair of RBIs — his fantastic fielding statistics impressed. In 18 games starting at third base for Los Angeles, Jimenez compiled a perfect fielding percentage in 162 innings. The Dominican added 46 assists and turned eight double plays.
Unfortunately for Jimenez, the Angels claimed third baseman Chris Nelson off waivers from the New York Yankees last weekend and optioned Jimenez the next day to Salt Lake.
"I'm just here to play," said Jimenez. "They sent me down here to play because I don't have that much of a chance up there with the guys back and ready to play. It's a different deal up there."
In 2012, Jimenez put up some terrific defensive numbers, compiling a .947 fielding percentage in 118 games. He has turned 29 double plays with 264 assists in what was a break-out season.
"I'm going to get better by doing the best I can," said Jimenez. "I want to have a better year this year than last year."
JEPSEN GOES ONE: L.A. pitcher Kevin Jepsen had a less than stellar outing in his first day with Salt Lake on a rehab assignment. Jepsen pitched the seventh inning, giving up three earned runs on a pair of home runs. As a result, he now has a 27.00 ERA.
LOPEZ TAKES MOUND: Making his debut on the mound in Triple-A, Salt Lake's Roberto Lopez pitched the top of the ninth inning, giving up just one hit.
ATTENDANCE: A solid 6,188 fans made their way to Spring Mobile Ballpark Wednesday night, only to be disappointed in the lopsided loss to Memphis.
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