Rockies left-hander Jorge De La Rosa has looked good in the early stages of spring training.
(Denver Post file photo)
ROCKIES 6, ATHLETICS 2
At Salt River Fields
Scottsdale, Ariz. — There is usually something bothering Jorge De La Rosa at some point in spring training.
In past years, the Rockies’ left-hander worked through physical issues, especially tightness in his groin. Not this year.
De La Rosa, who paid special attention to improving his flexibility during the offseason, has bolted out of the gate like a thoroughbred. He had pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings over his first two appearances until Oakland’s Matt Chapman finally tagged him Tuesday afternoon, belting a two-run homer with two outs in the fourth.
“I felt good,” De La Rosa said. “The mistake I made with (Chapman) was the only big one I made. My control wasn’t there, but I was able to get the outs when I needed them.”
Oakland’s first inning was proof of that. The A’s loaded the bases when Jed Lowrie got an infield single and Billy Butler walked, but De La Rosa turned stingy, striking out Josh Phegley and getting Jake Smolinski to groundout to shortstop Trevor Story.
De La Rosa’s line: 3 2/3 innings, five hits, two runs, two walks and two strikeouts.
HITS
** .583. That’s what Nolan Arenado is batting in the Cactus League. The all-star third baseman smacked a first-inning double to left and added a run-scoring single in the fifth. In 24 at-bats, he has 14 hits.
** New outfielder Gerardo Parra, who started in center, stole second and then stole third in the fifth inning, scoring on Arenado’s single.
** Mark Reynolds, starting at first base and hitting fifth, smashed a three-run homer in the third off Oakland starter Rich Hill.
** Left-hander Yohan Flande, trying to find a way to make the roster, continues to impress. He pitched three innings of one-hit baseball, striking out two. His spring ERA is 1.29.
MISSES
** It was not a good day at the plate for Carlos Gonzalez. He went 0-for-3, striking out twice.
** First baseman Kyle Parker was charged with an error when he misplayed a slow chopper in the eighth. It was a difficult play, but Parker should have made it.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Rockies travel to Glendale, Ariz. to play the Los Angeles Dodgers Wednesday at Camelback Ranch, 2:05 p.m. MDT (No TV, no radio)
Rockies’ pitchers — RHP Chad Bettis, RHP Christian Bergman, RHP Jason Motte, RHP Jason Miller.
Dodgers’ starter — RHP Zach Lee
