Game Wrap: Rockies 7, Royals 2. Behold! A Changeup!

It is the 5th inning, and Alex Gordon is in the batter's box with a full count. If you're a pitcher, your best bet is an offspeed pitch. Maybe a changeup. If you're Juan Nicasio, you're probably feeling pretty bummed right now that you don't have any confidence in that pitch. All you can do is throw more heat, right?

Nope. In one of the more encouraging moments of the offseason, Nicasio was able to induce a swinging strikeout from Alex Gordon. Although it is still a pitch in progress, this is great news. Nicasio has been inked in to the starting rotation for the season and developing a third pitch is something that everybody- fans, coaching staff, media- wanted to see.

Nicasio allowed three hits and allowed only one run- a homer off the bat of Mike Moustakas- in five innings of work. The Rockies offense was able to support Nicasio's encouraging performance as they hammered Jeremy Guthrie.

In other post game news and analysis, the battle for the backup catcher position continues between Ramon Hernandez and Yorvit Torrealba, Nolan Arenado revived his fine spring training performance, and Jonathan Herrera is a little bit like Sisyphus when it comes to making the major league roster.