Rockies 11, Ranger 10
Friday at Salt River Fields, Scottsdale, Ariz.
On the mound: Kyle Freeland was scratched because of a stomach bug that has swept through the clubhouse, so right-handed prospect Rico Garcia got the start. Garcia worked out of jams in the first and second inning but ran into big trouble in the third, giving up a single and two walks before Elvis Andrus hit a grand slam to deep center. … Right-hander Yency Almonte also struggled, getting ripped for three runs on four hits. … Sidearm righty Justin Lawrence (1.80 ERA) struck out one and walked one in a scoreless sixth.
At the plate: Infield prospect Colton Welker won the game with a bases-loaded, walk-off single. … Pat Valaika, making a serious bid to be a power bat off the bench, launched a two-run homer in the seventh to put Colorado ahead, 9-8. It was Valaika’s team-high fourth homer. … Ryan McMahon started at second base and delivered a leadoff home run in Colorado’s six-run fifth. … Raimel Tapia’s two-run triple and Daniel Murphy’s RBI double to right contributed to the big inning. … Catcher Chris Iannetta started to break out of his slump with his first two hits of spring.
Worth noting: Garrett Hampson, Colorado’s fastest player, stole second base, advanced to third on a throwing error and scored a run in the fifth. It was his fourth steal of spring.
Up next: Rockies (4-8-1) at Indians (7-6), 1:05 p.m. Saturday, Goodyear Ballpark; split squad vs. Diamondbacks at Monterrey, Mexico
Starting pitchers: Rockies RHP German Marquez vs. Indians RHP Shane Bieber; Rockies RHP Jeff Hoffman vs. Diamondbacks Taylor Clarke
