Parker ends whirlwind day in The Show

LOS ANGELES -- Kyle Parker, the Rockies' top Draft pick in 2010, made brief appearances in two games Monday. The second one will be remembered far longer than the first.

Parker started in a day game for Triple-A Colorado Springs against Salt Lake, but was pulled after a half-inning when the Rockies called him to the Majors. Parker arrived at Dodger Stadium around game time. He struck out against Dodgers left-handed reliever J.P. Howell pinch-hitting in the eighth inning of a 6-1 loss.

"Honestly, I just tried to put myself in a situation I've been in hundreds of times, and just go up with a good approach," Parker said. "You're trying to slow yourself down and gather your thoughts, because there's a lot going on in a short period of time. I did my best and tried to go out there with a good mental approach."

Since outfielder/first baseman Michael Cuddyer suffered a fracture in his left shoulder earlier this month, Parker has known he was a promotion candidate. The the organization's No. 6 prospect hit .292 with seven home runs and 38 RBIs at Colorado Springs.

Parker, 24, plays both outfield corners, and starting last season the Rockies began training him to play first base. With four other outfielders playing well, it's not likely Parker will start as often as Cuddyer did, but he does fill in for Cuddyer in the sense he is a right-handed hitter who can play multiple positions and hit with power.

"I knew for a little bit they kind of needed a right-handed guy off the bench, maybe with a little power," Parker said. "So I had kind of an expectation, maybe it'll happen, maybe it won't. I tried to go out every day and continue to work on my game.

"I played probably the last six days there at first. I kind of had a feeling that's what they would need me to do, especially when Cuddy went down. I felt comfortable over there."