Colorado Rockies: Three Things We Learned on March 11

Something that plagued the Colorado Rockies in 2016, came back to bite them again in a 4-3 Spring Training loss to the Chicago Cubs. Here are three take aways from game action on March 11.

The Bullpen Collapses with Victory In Hand

Clinging to a 3-1 lead heading into the bottom half of the 8th inning, the Colorado Rockies found themselves only three outs away from another solid Spring win. Talented reliever Miguel Castro took to the hill. However, the ineffectiveness that kept Castro from staying in the Majors permanently in 2016 reared its ugly head again in this one.

More from Rox Pile

• A Colorado Rockies Thanksgiving
• Colorado Rockies: What if Todd Helton had played football instead?
• Colorado Rockies: Charlie Blackmon out for the season
• Colorado Rockies: Injuries shift look of roster ahead of Dodgers series
• Colorado Rockies: Has Sean Bouchard earned a second look in 2023?

In total, Castro gave up three hits, two of which were home runs in the frame. So far this Spring, Castro has only logged four innings, but the resulting 15.75 ERA is leaving a bit to be desired. Hopefully, Castro and the Rockies staff can find a solution.

In good news for the bullpen, relievers Mike Dunn and Adam Ottavino pitched great. Dunn has retired all 16 batters he has faced this Spring. Ottavino is also sporting a 0.00 ERA in four innings pitched.

The Revenge of Eddie Butler

Once prized as not only a Rockies top prospect, but one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball, Eddie Butler faced his old team for the first time.

As you recall, Butler was shipped off to Chicago this winter. Butler never quite figured things out for the Rockies in his young career, bouncing around from rotation, to bullpen, to Triple-A to Double-A. Apparently, the Cubs saw something with him they could potential fix.

Butler came on to pitch the top of the ninth after Chicago’s thunderous bottom of the eighth. Butler cruised and retired all three batters he faced to end the game. No, Butler’s performance doesn’t officially count this time. Here’s to hoping he finds success, but also hoping it doesn’t come against Colorado.

Next: How His Time in Anaheim Molded Bud Black Into a Manager

Line-Up Staples All Contribute

Of the six potential Opening Day starters in today’s lineup, all six collected hits. The biggest highlight came when Trevor Story launched his fourth home run of the Spring. Also, leadoff man Charlie Blackmon had a double to start the game.