Surging Parker waits his turn for Rockies callup

PHILADELPHIA -- The Rockies' recent surge can be attributed to help they've received from Triple-A Albuquerque -- from the offense of Brandon Barnes and Ben Paulsen to the starting pitching of Chad Bettis and spot-starters David Hale and Chris Rusin, to righty reliever Scott Oberg.

Could Kyle Parker be next?

Parker, the team's top Draft pick in 2010, fell a single shy of the cycle Saturday in a 9-5 victory over Omaha. Parker hit .302 in Spring Training before starting the Triple-A season slowly. But the outfielder has hits in 16 of his last 17 games and is batting .412 with four home runs, four doubles, one triple and 17 RBIs during the stretch.

Of course, Barnes and Paulsen are outfielders and Paulsen plays first base, so Parker's positions seem covered. But manager Walt Weiss said all he can ask of players in that position is to stay ready.

Video: COL@PHI: Paulsen clobbers a solo home run

"Guys down there need to go out and perform and put themselves in position to be the guy when we need a guy," Weiss said. "That's what we tell them when we send them out -- work hard, take care of your business."

Of the guys who have received their chances, Weiss said, "The bottom line is they've performed. Whether it's on the mound or in the batter's box, the guys we've called up have given us a shot in the arm."

Worth noting

• Several players and coaches are battling the sinus infection that caused righty reliever Rafael Betancourt to leave Saturday's game after facing two batters ineffectively.

 "A couple of times a year you'll have something like that, a bug, run through the clubhouse," Weiss said.

• Infielder Charlie Culberson, who suffered a lumbar disc sprain during Spring Training and is on the Rockies' disabled list, has reported to Albuquerque for a Minor League rehab assignment.