Former Canisius College pitcher John Axford was called up by the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday and was added to the 40-man roster. Axford joined the Brewers' bullpen prior to Monday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals. During the 2009 season, Axford had 9-1 record with a 2.77 earned run average in 45 apperances out of the bullpen to go along with 89 strikeouts and 38 walks in 68.1 innings pitched.

Axford is the second former Golden Griffin to make it to the Majors, as Billy Goeckle appeared with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1899.

Axford, 6-foot-5 righty, found success at three different levels of the Brewers' minor leagues during the 2009 season. Axford started at high-level Class A Brevard County and posted a 4-1 record with a 1.63 ERA in 19 appearances. At Huntsville, Axford was 0-0 with a 3.52 ERA in four appearances. Finally, at Class AAA Nashville, Axford was 5-0 with a 3.55 ERA in 22 appearances out of the bullpen.

Axford, who is wearing No. 59 with the Brewers, becomes one of 10 pitchers in the Milwaukee bullpen.

Axford spent the 2006 season with the Golden Griffins after starting his baseball career at the University of Notre Dame. With Canisius, Axford was 3-8 with a 5.08 ERA and 75 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched.