Rockies 8, Rangers 7
Saturday at Salt River Fields
On the mound: Left-hander Austin Gomber looked sharp in his Cactus League debut, pitching three innings, allowing two hits, walking one, and striking out one. His one mistake was giving up a solo homer to Jake Marisnick in the third. … Right-hander Chad Kuhl, penciled in as the fifth starter, did not display good command and was charged with three runs on five hits in 2 2/3 innings. … Right-hander Julian Fernandez, who threw a 102.8 mph pitch for the Rockies last season, is still developing his secondary pitches. Texas outfielder Zach Reks tagged him with a solo homer in the ninth.
At the plate: Colorado’s offense continued to produce, banging out 15 hits, including a 450-foot, two-run homer by new outfielder Randal Grichuk in the fifth inning. … Ryan McMahon and Connor Joe hit opposite-field doubles.
Worth noting: Right-hander Carlos Estevez, competing for the closer’s role, pitched an impressive seventh inning, allowing no hits and striking out two.
Up next: (Split squad)
Rockies at Reds, 2:10 p.m. (MDT) Sunday, Goodyear Ballpark
Rockies pitchers: LHP Kyle Freeland, RHP Alex Colomé, LHP Ben Bowden, RHP Jordan Sheffield, LHP Lucas Gilbreath
Rockies at Diamondbacks, 2:10 p.m. (MDT) Sunday, Salt River Fields
Rockies pitchers: RHP Ashton Goudeau, RHP Nate Griep
