Rockies 5, White Sox 5: Colorado rallies for tie in error-filled game

This game was not a gem to watch, with three errors for each team, which was fitting because it ended in yet another tie for the Rockies. Colorado had no business being in this game, given that they were outhit 11-6, committed the aforementioned three errors, and were down 5-0 with only one hit entering the 6th inning. Somehow Colorado eked out a tie when the White Sox managed to lose the lead through some pretty bad play.

It was not a good outing for Tyler Chatwood, who allowed five runs on ten hits and two walks while striking out three in 5 1/3 innings to raise his spring ERA to 4.85. Chatwood allowed three runs on five hits in the 2nd inning and two runs on three hits in the fifth to put the Rockies in a 5-0 hole. The damage could have been worse but Chatwood was able to get an inning ending strikeout with men in scoring position on three occasions. Chatwood was also victimized by a horrible umpire decision in which Adam Eaton was thrown out at second base on a steal despite clear video evidence to the contrary. Walt Weiss challenged the play but upon review the call was somehow upheld.

Meanwhile, Rockies hitters struggled against Chatwood's counterpart Jose Quintana, who allowed only one hit in five scoreless innings. Wilin Rosario, playing first base for the first time this spring, was the player to get that lone hit off of Quintana. He also managed a couple of good picks on low throws, though his inability to get to a wild pickoff throw from Michael McKenry gave Chatwood some more trouble to deal with.

Once Quintana got removed after five innings, Colorado's offense woke up a little bit. The Rockies scratched out a run in the 6th and 7th innings thanks to a double by DJ LeMahieu and a triple by Drew Stubbs respectively, but it was in the 8th that things got a little weird.

After a Josh Rutledge single to start the inning, he stole second base and advanced to third on a poor throw by the catcher. This was immediately followed by eight straight balls by veteran Scott Downs, including a wild pitch that brought in Rutledge and gave the Rockies runners at first and second with nobody out. After a pitching change, Jackson Williams laid down a sac bunt that he may or may not have beaten out to put the runners 2nd and 3rd.

Brandon Barnes then hit an easy grounder to short, but shortstop Marcus Semien not only bobbled the ball but then also threw the ball in the dugout, bringing both runners in to score and tie up the game. After a walk, Tyler Massey hit into a double play to end the inning. Tim Smalling would end the game on a similar double play in the 9th.

In terms of the relief corps, Manny Corpas did well to get out of the mess he inherited in the 6th inning, while Wilton Lopez and Adam Ottavino were very impressive in their innings of work - both of them notching two strikeouts in 1-2-3 frames. A Ryan Wheeler error in the 9th inning, a single, and a HBP left Matt Belisle in a pickle, but he induced an inning ending double play.

Roll Call

The Rockies will play the Royals tomorrow at 2 MDT at home. On an unrelated note, I'm glad I didn't pick Kansas in my bracket. Go Louisville!