Minor-league spotlight
Cole Garner, OF, Tulsa
Outfielder Cole Garner couldn’t have picked a better time for a hitting streak, as far as new Tulsa Drillers manager Ron Gideon is concerned.
In 10 games, Garner hit .571, with 16 hits, seven doubles, a home run and 11 RBIs. In 28 at-bats, he struck out once and walked twice. Garner’s surge raised his season batting average to .314.
The Rockies’ 26th-round draft pick in the 2003 June draft, Garner’s streak roughly coincided with Gideon stepping into the manager’s chair. Gideon was serving his 14th season in the Rockies’ organization as roving field coordinator but went to Tulsa to replace Stu Cole, who moved up to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
The change in managers was a result of Tom Runnells leaving as Sky Sox manager to become bench coach for new Rockies manager Jim Tracy.
“Earlier in the season, (Garner) didn’t want to get to two strikes in the count,” Gideon said. “But now he’s putting the ball in play with confidence and not chasing pitches that are just out of the strike zone. He’s not overswinging, and I’m sure right now the ball looks like a watermelon to him.”
Garner is in his fifth season in the organization but first at Double-A. He hit .318 in 50 games last season with Single-A Modesto before being sidelined by injuries.
Organizational leaders (Through Thursday)
HITTING: (55 games) Mike McCoy, Colorado Springs, .345; Matt Miller, Colorado Springs, .333; Jordan Pacheco, Asheville, .333.
RUNS: Eric Young Jr., Colorado Springs, 62; McCoy, Colorado Springs, 55.
HITS: Miller, Colorado Springs, 84; Scott Robinson, Asheville, 79.
DOUBLES: Miller, Colorado Springs, 23; Radames Nazario, Modesto, 21.
TRIPLES: Jeffrey Cunningham, Modesto, 6; David Christensen, Asheville, 6.
HOME RUNS: Ryan Harvey, Tulsa; Jay Cox, Modesto, 9.
RBIs: Miller, Colorado Springs, 58; Charles Blackmon, Modesto, 37.
STOLEN BASES: Young, Colorado Springs, 40; McCoy, Colorado Springs, 21.
PITCHING VICTORIES: Alan Johnson, Colorado Springs, 7; Joey Williamson, Modesto/Tulsa, 7.
LOSSES: Bruce Billings, Modesto, 6; eight pitchers with five each.
SAVES: Andrew Johnston, Tulsa, 19; Craig Baker, Modesto, 19.
INNINGS: Esmil Rogers, Tulsa, 79 1/3; Keith Weiser, Tulsa, 76 1/3; Jhoulys Chacin, Tulsa, 76 1/3.
WALKS: Connor Graham, Modesto, 35; Samuel Deduno, Tulsa, 30.
STRIKEOUTS: Christian Friedrich, Asheville/Modesto, 86; Billings, Modesto, 81.
ERA: (starters) Friedrich, Asheville/ Modesto, 2.34; Rogers, Tulsa, 2.84; (relievers) Matt Reynolds, Modesto, 1.38; Carlos Luna, Modesto, 2.29.
