GOODYEAR, Ariz. — A day before departing for the World Baseball Classic, Ubaldo Jimenez pitched like an international star.
The Rockies’ valuable right-hander threw three dominating innings Sunday in a 6-4 loss to the Indians. It was a much better performance than his uneven spring debut against the Diamondbacks last week when he allowed three runs in two innings. More important, Sunday’s strong showing pumped Jimenez with confidence as he departs this morning for Jupiter, Fla., where he will join his Dominican Republic teammates.
“If I had done bad today like I did the first time, there would be questions like, ‘What is wrong with Jimenez?’ ” he said. “So it’s good to go out like that.”
He needed just 36 pitches to mow through three innings, allowing one single. With his fastball hopping and his slider cutting, he struck out three.
“The fastball location was huge today,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “It was sharp, and it was down. He dominated the strike zone and pounded the ball inside.”
Many major-league teams are concerned about their players getting hurt or possibly losing their edge in the WBC. But Hurdle, comforted by the knowledge that Felipe Alou is managing the Dominican team, said Jimenez deserves the big stage.
“I think it’s all part of his evolution,” Hurdle said. “He’s done well enough to be recognized. . . . Good players get to pitch in good things.”
Outfield prospects.
Although the Rockies remain winless at 0-5, they are starting to hit the ball. They stroked 11 hits, with sweet-swinging left fielder Seth Smith going 2-for-3 with a double, and center fielder Carlos Gonzalez (2-for-4) smacking a triple to deep center.
“I’m trying to get the extra-base hit here in spring training; that’s our job here,” Gonzalez said. “The coaches, they love that. It’s the best thing we can do: Be aggressive.”
Injury report.
Utility man Jeff Baker still has a sore right elbow despite getting a cortisone shot. He’s out until the swelling subsides.
Ian Stewart (left biceps strain) won’t return to game action until he has had at least a couple more batting-practice sessions.
Spilly returns.
Outfielder Ryan Spilborghs returned to camp Sunday after a brief absence following the death of his mother, Essie. She died of complications from a lung infection at age 57. Rather than make the trip to Goodyear, he stayed behind in Tucson and worked out with teammates, including friend Troy Tulo- witzki.
Services for Spilborghs’ mother are expected to be held later this week in Santa Barbara, Calif.
Footnotes.
Trevor Crowe, the Indians’ first batter, rocketed a line drive up the middle at Rockies starter Aaron Cook. The shot glanced off Cook’s back and left a mark, but Cook avoided serious injury. . . . Jimenez credited veteran catcher Sal Fasano for a well-called game, and Fasano also crushed a two-run homer in the sixth.
Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
RECAP
At the plate
Carlos Gonzalez went 2-for-4, including a triple in the sixth inning. He scored on Sal Fasano’s homer to left field.
Seth Smith was 2-for-3, including a double.
On the mound
No. 1 starter Aaron Cook experimented with his slider and changeup, but he failed to get the ball down and was raked for five runs (two earned), including a second-inning bomb to center by Jhonny Peralta.
In the field
Gonzalez flashed his skills in center field, making a sliding catch in the fourth inning on a dying flyball hit by former Rockie Jamey Carroll.
Up next
The Rockies host the Angels today at Hi Corbett Field.
Scheduled Rockies pitchers: Franklin Morales, Huston Street, Jason Hirsh, Juan Morillo and Esmil Rogers.
