TEMPE, Ariz. — Ian Stewart’s extraordinary skills were on full display Thursday in the Rockies’ 6-4 victory over the Angels. After the game, Stewart made it clear he believes he has matured into a full-time major-leaguer.
“I feel like this is my time to be here, with this team,” he said after going 2-for-5, including a three-run homer off Angels starter John Lackey. “My first time up was just a cup of coffee. Last year, I went through some struggles, but I came back and I made my adjustments. This year is my time to really prove I belong, to step up and find my way on the team and in the lineup somehow.”
Stewart drove in four runs and played all nine innings at third base, his natural position. He made two highlight- reel plays in the third inning, bare-handing a slow roller by Chone Figgins and backhanding Torii Hunter’s hard shot down the line, then gunning Hunter out with a perfect strike to first.
Regarding Stewart’s two web gems, manager Clint Hurdle said: “Those are two yardsticks for any third baseman. It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Footnotes.
Closer Huston Street has his best outing of the spring, setting down the Angels in order in the fifth. . . . Ryan Spilborghs finalized his contract. He would make $415,000 in the majors, $237,600 if he’s in the minors.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
