ST. PETERSBURG -- Ryan Garton didn't think anything was out of the ordinary when Durham pitching coach Kyle Snyder called the righty into his office following Tuesday's game in Toledo. He had been planning to go over some of his pitches anyway.
He was oblivious when the Triple-A manager and pitching coach peppered him with questions about his role and his season. They told Garton that he'd been doing well, and then offered him a beer. At first, he was reluctant to accept it, because they'd lost 5-0 to the Mud Hens.
But when it came with an offer to get called up to the Tampa Bay Rays, he was ready to celebrate.