Colorado Springs could have used Kyle Parker batting with one on, nobody out in the ninth as it tried to rally from a deficit against Salt Lake.
But Parker was needed elsewhere.
The Sky Sox first baseman was called off the field in the first inning and was out of the clubhouse shortly later as he was beckoned by the Colorado Rockies.
The remaining Sky Sox fell to the Bees 7-5, as Parker’s No. 3 spot in the order failed to drive in runners in three opportunities from the fourth inning on.
Parker was congratulated by teammates as he came off the field in the first.
“I just gave him a hug and said, ‘Do your thing,'” said Ben Paulsen, Parker’s teammate at Clemson and with the Sky Sox. “He’s going to be successful because he’s been successful everywhere he’s been.”
Parker was batting .292 with seven home runs and 38 RBIs in his first Triple-A season. He has been a notable figure since college, when he became the first player in NCAA history to throw 20 or more touchdowns and hit 20 or more home runs for Clemson.
Parker was the lone remaining Sky Sox player on the Rockies’ 40-man roster, so the corresponding move – optioning pitcher Juan Nicasio – didn’t require cutting ties with anybody.
“I was informed to take him out,” Sky Sox manager Glenallen Hill said. “I said you’re out of the game, congratulations.”
Parker’s day wasn’t the only short one for Colorado Springs.
Veteran Brett Tomko, whose debut with the Sky Sox last week was limited to one inning because of an extended rain delay, was pulled with two outs in the first after two walks and two singles.
Tomko had thrown 37 pitches when he was pulled with the score 1-0. Two of the baserunners he left aboard then scored on a fielding error, as he gave up three runs – one earned – and struck out two in his short start.
“I was a little shocked when Glenallen came walking out there,” Tomko said. “Just getting here and having the rain delay, I was anxious to get back out and give a little more to the team. I was a little disappointed to come out of the game, but rules are rules and if that’s policy, that’s policy.”
Hill said he couldn’t risk letting Tomko throw to one more batter.
“One more out could have easily turned into eight more pitches,” Hill said. “You never want to put yourself in that position.”
Added Tomko, “When the boss comes to take the ball you give him the ball. … I think I’ve thrown 50 pitches in a game before and still gone six innings. But if that’s policy, they can’t make exceptions.
“But I felt good. Even with a 10-day layoff since coming from Omaha. My stuff feels good. I feel healthy.”
Tomko took a no-decision, as the Sky Sox tied the score 3-3 in the first. Colorado Springs then went up 5-3 but coughed up the lead after three hits against Wilton Lopez in the sixth.
The Sky Sox now leave town and await their next player in the place of Parker. When the two moves become official, they will be the 69th and 70th transactions of the season.
“There’s no time to be distracted by all the transactions, because that’s what happens here,” said Hill, adding that he’s had no problem adjusting to the new personalities. “It’s not difficult. These boys are my kids. They are my family, my sons. Because I have a close relationship with all of them it is not difficult. The landscape changes.”
The Sky Sox finished their home stand 2-6.