The Rockies won 2-0 against the Chicago Cubs Wednesday afternoon at HoHoKam Park in Mesa, Arizona. Jorge De La Rosa who has been working on his mechanics this spring started and threw four scoreless innings with six punch outs compared to four hits and two walks. He worked out of two bases loaded jams, one in the first when he struck out Cubs catcher Dioner Navarro. In the third the Cubs loaded the bases again, this time with no outs, but De La Rosa was able to strike out Alfonso Soriano, and Scott Hairston, and get Navarrao to fly out once again ending the threat.
For De La Rosa, being able to work out of two bases loaded jams by getting strike outs is huge. As spring goes along hopefully he will continue to progress and be the pitcher the Rockies need. Being able to work out of trouble is key in Coors Field where base runners are inevitable due to the cavernous outfield.
Non-roster invitee Manual Corpas worked two perfect innings in relief striking out two as he fights for a job in the bullpen. Following Corpas were Josh Outman, who I think will make the bullpen especially being left handed, Logan Kensing, and Will Harris all pitching scoreless innings.
Offensively for Colorado Eric Young Jr. continued his solid spring going 2-3 atop the lineup playing CF. Tulowitzki also continued his recent surge plating Young with an RBI double in the first and later adding a sacrifice fly that would be the second and final run the Rockies would score.
3B hopeful Nolan Arenado had perhaps his least dazzling game this spring offensively going 0-3 with a strikeout as he continues his bid to be the opening day starter at 3B.
Edwin Jackson gave up one run in his five innings of work for the Cubs. That makes three tough starters out of the last four the Rockies have faced in Kershaw, Sale, and now Jackson. Facing tough pitching should get familiar to Rockies fans though as they play in arguably the best pitching division in baseball.
The Rockies have tomorrow off. However, Juan Nicasio and Joe Gardner are expected to pitch against minor leaguers tomorrow. Up next the Rockies play the Reds Friday night at 8:05 MST with Jeff Francis starting against Johnny Cueto.