June 8, 2008

Former University of Houston Cougar right-hander Garrett Mock will make his Major League debut at 12:35 p.m. (CDT), Sunday as the Washington Nationals face the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park.

A two-year letterman from 2003 to 2004, Mock compiled a 9-9 record with 108 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA in 154.0 innings as a Cougar. As a junior in 2004, he endured a tough start but quickly regained the form that made him a Preseason All-Conference USA Team member, winning his last four decisions to end the season and finishing with a team-best 3.71 ERA.

Mock became the 22nd former Cougar to reach the Major Leagues and the first since Rob Johnson joined the Seattle Mariners in September 2007. He also becomes the seventh Cougar Major Leaguer who played for current UH head coach Rayne Noble.

Mock was acquired from the Diamondbacks in August 2006 as part of the Livan Hernandez. This season he has posted a 3-2 record with a 3.06 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 62.1 innings in 11 starts. Although hampered by a left knee injury during his professional career, Mock has overcome that ailment.