Right-hander David Lundquist of Carson City, a terrific comeback story after two shoulder surgeries, has been called up to the San Diego Padres to fill the gap left by injured relievers Tom Davey and David Lee.
Lundquist had been pitching for the Padres Triple A affiliate, the Portland Beavers, before being called up on Monday.
Lundquist hasn't pitched in a Major League game since the 1999 season when he played for the Chicago White Sox.
"It's been a long time coming, a long road back," Lundquist told the Portland Oregonian. "There were a lot of times I thought about quitting, but it's finally paid off."
Lundquist had given up just one run in a 14-game stretch until Omaha's A.J. Hinch hit a three-run homer off him Saturday night in the Golden Spikes' 7-3 victory. Lundquist was 4-6 with a 3.16 earned run average. In 69 2/3 innings, he gave up 59 hits and struck out 65.
His velocity, usually in the mid-90s, was way down on Saturday. It turns out he was sick.
"He was throwing up in the clubhouse, but nobody told me," Beaver manager Rick Sweet said later. "I thought he was fine."
Lundquist said he didn't know what the problem was.
"He always loved the game of baseball," said Carson High coach Ron McNutt, who coached Lundquist at Carson High. "I'm really happy for him.
"He was the type of kid that always wanted the baseball. He would have pitched every day for you if he had the chance."
