9 IP, 11 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K. That line was the story of today's Cactus League contest between the Rockies and White Sox. Though that looks like some of last season's lines put up by other teams' hurlers against the Rockies' offense, Colorado's pitchers were actually responsible for this one.
Jorge De La Rosa, looking to gain some confidence with a good outing against a very good Major League lineup, showed up today - pitching 5.1 innings of very good baseball. Though he scattered 7 hits, JDLR only walked one batter and struck out 9. What's good about that is he didn't seem to be out there just trying to whiff every batter he faced, either, as this quote can back up:
“I don’t really care about the strikeouts,” De La Rosa said. “I just wanted to pitch good with fastball command. I felt much better with my rhythm today.”
The Rockies' bullpen didn't let things get away from them after De La Rosa's exit, as they continued to baffle the White Sox offense by giving up only four hits and a walk in 3.2 innings, while punching out two.
On the offensive side of things, two Rockies utility men had good days at the plate. Jeff Baker had two hits and a couple of runs scored, and Clint Barmes had three hits in as many at bats, scored two runs, and collected an RBI. Scott Podsednik also chipped in two hits, and Omar Quintanilla hit a triple off the bench (and was thrown out at home trying to stretch an inside-the-park homer).
Tomorrow, the Rockies stay on the road as they face the Kansas City Royals in Surprise. Aaron Cook will take the mound and face Gil Meche in the Rockies' final Spring Training game in the Phoenix area.
Thanks to everyone who participated in the game thread...you kiddies behave yourselves!