Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Spring Training Hits & Misses: Game 19 vs. San Diego

Hits

Jonathan Herrera and friends

Last week I told you to just assume Herrera was doing good things until you heard otherwise, but I can't help but acknowledge his big two-run triple tonight. It was actually a good offensive night all around for the Rockies starting lineup. Aside from Carlos Gonzalez — who will probably make up for this at a far more important time — every spot in the order contributed an RBI or run scored (Wilin Rosario pinch ran and scored for Ramon Hernandez, who left with a bruised knee after a HBP) in the first four innings.

Misses

Jhoulys Chacin

3 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 2 K and 70 damn pitches.

Tonight was one of those nights where Chacin struggled to locate, missed few bats and the ball was carrying well, so the disappointing line is not all that difficult to figure out. I don't think there's anything here to be overly concerned about big picture unless the blister was a lingering problem. If so, he may need to take a few days off which would set back his progression towards opening day. Otherwise, just chalk it up to Arizona in mid-March.

Edgmer Escalona

Escalona pitched well in 25 appearances with the Rockies last season and had been pitching well this spring until tonight. But tonight was not good (0.2 IP, 5 R (3 ER), 3 H, 3 BB, HR) and for a guy WITH options remaining in a crowded arms race, he needed this night to not happen. A good bounce back effort will be required.

Got Their Work In

Josh Outman

Finally. After having a pair of scheduled outings pushed back by weather, Outman got on the bump tonight and pitched a very clean inning (with two strikeouts). A bullpen spot awaits him if Jim Tracy elects to go with three lefties.

Oh, yeah, and the score in case you're wondering

In a nine inning spring training game that Jim Tracy somehow ran out of position players, the Padres topped the Rockies 10-6.

What's next

The Rockies have a rare spring off day on Wednesday before returning to split squad action on Thursday. In the afternoon game, the Rockies will play San Diego in a make up from Saturday's rainout in Tucson. That will be a 2:05 MT first pitch with no video or audio coverage. In the evening, the Rockies will host the San Francisco Giants and Tim Lincecum on 850 KOA at 8:10 MT. Jamie Moyer is scheduled to take the ball for Colorado.

More Rockies thoughts await you if you follow me on Twitter: @Townie813

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