Cactus League: Troy Tulowitzki, Colorado Rockies Defeat The Los Angeles Angels, 7-2

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado Rockies All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki finally got his bat going today as he was 0-for-5 in his previous Spring Training outings. Troy would record his first two hits of the Spring which would both be home runs off of Angels pitcher Joe Blanton who had a rough afternoon, raising his batting average to .286.

Blanton struggled in his 3.1 innings of work, giving up eight hits, seven earned runs while also giving up four home runs. Rockies catcher Michael McKenry and second baseman Josh Rutledge would each slug out a home run. Brandon Barnes (acquired in the Dexter Fowler trade along with Jordan Lyles) continues to impress this spring as he went a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate raising his spring average to .444.

Notable Rockies Hitters:

  • Troy Tulowitzki: 2-for-2, 2 HR, 3 RBI’s.
  • Tim Wheeler: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 1 RBI.
  • Brandon Barnes: 3-for-3, 1 R.

Rockies southpaw Jorge De La Rosa bounced back from shaky start, throwing three innings against the Angels while giving up three hits, one earned run while striking out two.

LaTroy Hawkins got in an inning of work, blanking the Angels while giving up just one hit and striking out one. Rex Brothers would follow him up by throwing a scoreless inning as well, giving up just one hit.

Notable Rockies Pitchers:

  • LaTroy Hawkins: 1.o IP, 1 H, 1 K.
  • Rex Brothers: 1.0 IP, 1 H.

Regarding some of the injured Rockies, Justin Morneau took batting practice with the team this afternoon and could return to the lineup sometime next week. Michael Cuddyer was hit by a pitch against the Chicago Cubs earlier in the week and suffered a bruised left shoulder. Cuddy expects to be in the starting lineup tomorrow. And Wilin Rosario was excused from the team and was sent home with an acute toothache.

The Colorado Rockies resume Cactus League play tomorrow afternoon as they take on the Oakland Athletics. First-pitch will be scheduled around 3:10 PM ET, 1:10 PM MT.