After the Colorado Rockies sent Chris Nelson and Eric Young Jr. to the minor leagues when Mark Ellis arrived, the bench was short a player since the team needed an extra pitcher. That changed on Monday when Colorado Springs Sky Sox outfielder Cole Garner was recalled and reliever Clayton Mortensen was sent to the minors. Garner will be available off the bench in Monday's game in Atlanta. Look for the No. 41 jersey.
Garner has hit .340/.376/.567 this season in 36 games. Five of his seven home runs have come away from the humidor-less Security Service Field, his home stadium. But he's OPS'ing over 100 points better at home (.987 to .876).
Garner was drafted in the 26th round of the 2003 draft out of La Quinta High School, along with teammate Ian Stewart and the Diamondbacks' Ian Kennedy (the only one of the three to attend college). Injury kept Garner out of games until 2005 and he eventually reach minor-league free agency, electing to re-sign with the Rockies. Now his dreams of making it to the Major Leagues have come true.
Mortensen's first four appearances of the season came as a reliever, but he moved into the rotation in mid-May and stayed there until the beginning of June. After that, he allowed runs in five of his seven relief appearances. He gave up four runs to the Royals in their 16-8 victory, three off an Eric Hosmer homer.
For more on the Rockies, visit Purple Row.