PEORIA, Ariz. — Manuel Corpas answered back Friday.
In a tight race with Huston Street for the Rockies’ closer job, Corpas threw a strong ninth inning against the Mariners. He allowed a single to Jeff Clement but was otherwise very sharp. It was a big improvement from his last outing, when he walked three straight Cubs.
The key, Corpas said, is recapturing the go-at-them style that made him so effective in 2007. He’s also decided to pitch out of the windup, rather than out of the stretch, when there are no men on base. He said the full delivery helps him keep his sinker and slider down.
“I felt better today than the other day,” said Corpas, who’s allowed just one run in Cactus League play after allowing only one run pitching for Panama in the World Baseball Classic.
“Against the Cubs I wasn’t aggressive and I threw like 12 balls in a row. Today I was better, and I was more aggressive.”
Asked about the race with Street, Corpas said: “I don’t know. I think I have big competition, but I like it because it makes me work hard.”
Manager Clint Hurdle remains mum on who’ll get the job, but he gave Corpas a thumbs up for Friday’s performance.
“I saw a slider that really looked nasty,” Hurdle said. “It was a swing-and-miss slider, and I saw a couple of good sinkers. It was an improvement.”
What’s Cookin’.
No. 1 starter Aaron Cook achieved his primary objective by throwing 100 pitches in his second-to-last spring start. He wasn’t particularly sharp in his 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on 10 hits. But on a day when his sinker was flat, there was a bright side to his struggles.
“Today my slider was what helped me get through,” he said. “I’ve been putting a lot of emphasis on it in spring training.”
Koshansky on waivers.
The Rockies have placed first baseman Joe Koshansky on waivers for the purpose of removing him from their 40-man roster. If no other major-league teams claim Koshansky, he would be outrighted to Triple-A Colorado Springs. The Rockies need at least one spot to add reliever Glendon Rusch, and possibly one for Matt Belisle or Josh Fogg.
Koshansky, 26, has his path blocked in Colorado, stuck behind Todd Helton. He began taking flyballs in the outfield this week and played five innings there in a minor-league game Friday, making a relay throw to nail Arizona’s Justin Upton. Koshansky hit .300 with 31 home runs in Triple-A last season.
Footnotes.
If Garrett Atkins (groin strain) feels OK, he should play against the Cubs today at Hi Corbett Field. . . . Utility man Christian Colonel started at third base. Though he’s bound for Triple-A, Colonel has played a team-high 142 innings this spring.
Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck, The Denver Post
Rockies Recap
At the plate
Prospect Christian Colonel crushed a pitch by Mariners lefty Erik Bedard for a grand slam in the first inning. He added a sacrifice fly in the third to finish with five RBIs. His 15 total RBIs leads the Rockies.
On the mound
Hard-throwing reliever Juan Morillo, closing in on a roster spot, gave up a walk but no hits in a scoreless seventh. His ERA sits 3.55.
In the field
Infielder Jonathan Herrera, getting the start at second base, made a series of tough plays look easy. In the first inning, he leaped high to snare a line drive and steal a base hit away from Adrian Beltre.
Up next
The Rockies host the Cubs Saturday at Hi Corbett Field. Scheduled Rockies starter: Ubaldo Jimenez. Scheduled Cubs starter: Ryan Dempster.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
