Rockies Lose To Cubs, Defeat Padres

The Colorado Rockies continued their Cactus League schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday with games against the Chicago Cubs and San Diego Padres. They fell to the Cubs 4-2 and then turned around and defeated the Padres 6-3.

Not mentioned here, Tulo. Image: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

As I listened to the Cubs game I was struck by an old bug-a-boo rearing its ugly head once again. Base-running errors, or as I like to call it, “pulling a Hawpe.” I am open to making it into a verb form if you would rather, as in: “Tyler Colvin ‘Hawped’ in the game against the Cubs on Tuesday.” Of course if the Rockies are being aggressive that’s all that matters, right? More importantly, this game included appearances by Jhoulys Chacin and Jorge De La Rosa. Chacin pitched well, retiring all 6 batters he faced, but he tweaked an apparent toe injury. He will still pitch for Team Venezuela in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. That will be great news if it proves that the injury is no big deal. That will be terrible news if he aggravates the injury.

De La Rosa struggled and expressed frustration at his issues. He felt his command and his pace were off. The good news is, there is lots of time for him to resolve those issues.

On Wednesday the big stories included the return of Wilin Rosario, who showed no ill-effects of his time away with an injury. He knocked 3 hits as he and his fellow catcher/utility man Jordan Pacheco led the way with the bats. Tyler Chatwood made the start and gave up 2 runs in 3 innings. Reports are that he and the coaches were pleased with his fastball command, which is presumably a good first step for the youngster. Like Chacin and other young guys with electric stuff before him, it is all about commanding that fastball to set up the rest of the arsenal.

The Rockies, who now stand at a 3-2 mark so far in spring games, will continue action Thursday against Aroldis Chapman and the Cincinnati Reds.