The Angels’ Kole Calhoun steals second as DJ LeMahieu fields a throw for the Rockies. (Norm Hall, Getty Images)
ANGELS 11, ROCKIES 0
At Salt River Fields
Scottsdale, Ariz. — That was a Bronx cheer that bubbled up in the sixth inning Tuesday at Salt River Fields when Rockies catcher Audry Perez singled on a grounder to right field.
It was the Rockies’ first hit of the game. Despite sporting an A-side lineup that looked a lot like what they’ll use on opening day, the Rockies struggled against Angels fill-in Drew Rucinski. Anaheim won 11-0.
“Just one of those days,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said.
Colorado went nine up, nine down in the first three innings with their big-name players. Carlos Gonzalez was their first baserunner when he walked in the fifth.
Charlie Blackmon, Corey Dickerson and Troy Tulowitzki each went 0-for-2 at the top of the lineup. Gonzalez was 0-for-1. Nolan Arenado and Justin Morneau went 0-for-2.
“He jumped on us,” Tulowitzki said.
Rucinski — a late fill-in for C.J. Wilson, who fell ill — struck out five in three innings. “He’s funky,” Weiss said.
The Rockies starting lineup and batting order:
CF Charlie Blackmon
LF Corey Dickerson
SS Troy Tulowitzki
RF Carlos Gonzalez
3B Nolan Arenado
1B Justin Morneau
DH Drew Stubbs
C Nick Hundley
2B DJ LeMahieu
HITS
** Chad Bettis, in his first Cactus League appearance this spring, allowed just one hit in two innings. He struck out Kole Calhoun and Mike Trout to open the game. And after allowing a double to David Freese on a missed pitch, he forced Erick Aybar into a weak ground out.
“I saw him commanding the fastball to the glove-side of the plate,” Weiss said. “For the most part, he kept his delivery intact and under control. He wasn’t rushing away from the rubber like we’ve seen him at times in the past.”
** Boone Logan (one hit allowed) and Rex Brothers (no hits) swept up the final two innings in quick time. Weiss said he envisions Logan and Brothers filling similar late-inning lefty roles out of the bullpen. “We did that at times last year, they flip-flopped roles. I don’t have to pin them to a certain inning,” Weiss said.
MISSES
** Tulowitzki fielded an Albert Pujols chopper in the third and snapped a throw to Arenado at third trying to get Calhoun as the lead runner. But Arenado wasn’t in position for the tag. He saved an out, though, throwing to first to nab Pujols in an unconventional 6-5-3 one-out put-out.
“That’s a first for me,” Weiss said. “But nothing surprises me that Nolan does. Pretty good awareness right there, to get that ball away as quickly as he did.”
UP NEXT
The Rockies play a split-squad, day-night doubleheader against the Padres at 1 p.m. and the Diamondbacks at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. At least 10 pitchers will throw for Colorado, including starters Tyler Matzek (against San Diego) and Jon Gray (against Arizona).
Tags: Albert Pujols, Angels, Boone Logan, Cactus League, Chad Bettis, David Freese, DJ Lemahieu, Erick Aybar, Los Angeles Angels, Mike Trout, Nolan Arenado, Rex Brothers, Troy Tulowitzki
