Thursday, July 3, 2003 | 10:04 a.m.
It was dark outside the south gate of Cashman Field late Wednesday, but it didn't take long for the place to light up brighter than the Strip.
First, Wilkin Ruan's cellphone began to flash. Shortly after he answered it, so did his eyes.
"I'm going to Las Vegas," the euphoric 24-year-old said to a group of autograph seekers following the 51s' 12-7 loss to the Fresno Grizzlies. He laughed, then said, "I mean, I'm going to Los Angeles."
The major-league call-up, made after Dodgers outfielders Brian Jordan and Dave Roberts were put on the injured list, highlighted a week that Ruan will likely never forget.
He was in New York to start the week, to be with his wife for the birth of their first child. He returned to Las Vegas Wednesday, and was pulled from the game a half-hour before the first pitch. Late Wednesday night, got the call that he and fellow 51 outfielder Chad Hermansen would be on a midnight flight to Los Angeles to join the Dodgers.
"I'm so happy," he said while walking to his car. "I have my first baby, I got to go to New York and see my wife, I had fun with her, I had fun with my sister, and now I feel real happy for a second time, I get to go to the big leagues."
Ruan had been having dynamic year at Triple-A. He was hitting .314, and had made a brief appearance on the PCL leaderboard for batting average. He was also four shy of the league lead for stolen bases, going 28-for-33 in his attempts this year.
His defense had been just as stellar. Playing center field, Ruan's committed only two errors this year. Dodgers G.M. Dan Evans said earlier this year that Ruan's fielding was as good as Atlanta all-star Andruw Jones'.
In 2002, Ruan made his first major-league appearance as a September call-up. He played in 12 games, going 3-for-11 with two runs and three RBIs. He hopes to be just as successful in 2003.
"George (Hendrick, the batting coach) has worked with me a lot," he said in broken English. "I want to learn more over there. They have more people and experience, and I'll have to work hard a lot."
Making the transition easier -- but the situation more challenging -- is the coinciding call-up of former Green Valley standout Chad Hermansen. Both were scheduled for the same flight to Los Angeles.
"It's good to have him come with me," he explained. "But I have to do my job, and he has to do his job."
The Dodgers will have six active outfielders for today -- Ruan, Hermansen, Shawn Green, Daryle Ward, and former 51s Mike Kinkade and Jason Romano.
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