TUCSON, Ariz.-
Rich Harden struck out nine batters in less than four innings, but the Colorado Rockies beat the Oakland Athletics 5-2 Thursday.
Harden, who has taken over the No. 1 spot in Oakland’s rotation following the departure of Barry Zito, has fanned 18 in 8 2-3 innings this spring. He struck out the side in the first and third against Colorado.
“Strikeouts don’t really mean that much, especially in spring training. It is early for the hitters, and they are going to get better as the season goes on and they see more pitches,” Harden said. “It is really more important how I feel, and I want to be consistent throwing strikes.”
Harden went 3 2-3 innings, giving up one run, one hit and walking one. He struck out eight of his 10 batters.
“Even during the season sometimes it is better to get an early groundball,” Harden said. “They are not something I am going for.”
Harden is coming back from an injury-plagued 2006 season. He made only nine starts because of back and elbow problems.
“I’m feeling good right now,” Harden said. “It usually takes me a while to get my command. The last few years I have been learning how to get myself on track.”
While Harden was throwing strikes, Colorado starter Jason Hirsh was wild in the early innings, walking the bases loaded to start the game before getting out of trouble with only one run scoring.
Hirsh settled down to go a spring training-high five innings, giving up just one run and three hits while striking out three and walking three.
“That first inning was kind of weird,” Hirsh said. “I was kind of tight. I had a lot of tension in my shoulders. I just took a deep breath, and I felt the tension in my shoulders and let it go and said, let’s get down to basics and just pitch. I stopped trying to be so mechanical and trying to overdue stuff. It worked out with the double play and the punchout. It rolled from there.”
The right-hander, competing for a spot in the Rockies’ rotation, was acquired from Houston during the offseason after he was named the 2006 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year.
“I am trying to make the team,” Hirsh said. “I have been putting a little extra pressure on me. I have high expectations and sometimes I overdo it to get to those expectations quicker.”
Oakland’s Brad Halsey allowed three unearned runs and four hits in three innings.
The Rockies took advantage of three errors by the A’s. Yorvitt Torrealba went 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Notes:@ Rockies OF Steve Finley was ejected in the third for arguing with plate umpire Tony Randazzo. Finley, who struck out twice against Harden, threw his bat down the second time and was tossed. He had to be separated from Randazzo by Colorado manager Clint Hurdle. … Rockies 2B Kaz Matsui has a strained foot and is day-to-day. He is hitting .250 this spring.
