Game Wraps: Rockies 8, Rangers 2; Rockies 7, Cubs 5

Colorado vs. Chicago Cubs:

This was a sloppy defensive game from both teams, particularly the Rockies. They committed a whopping five errors on the day, including one from Troy Tulowitzki, one from Michael McKenry, two from Ben Paulsen, and one from Matt McBride. Better tighten up that defense boys.

Notes:

• Charlie Blackmon tripled to start the game and was brought around by a Carlos Gonzalez groundout. Blackmon is acquitting himself nicely in his bid for playing time in the last outfield spot.
• Tyler Chatwood pitched well, though he was victimized by bad defense behind him, contributing to an unearned run. He walked two, struck out three, and allowed one hit in his 2.2 innings. Jason Aquino came on in relief to clean up the third inning by striking out super-prospect Javier Baez.
  
• Michael Cuddyer got plunked by Jeff Samardzjia in the first inning, and had to leave the game a batter later. By most accounts it's nothing serious, just a pinched nerve. He should only be out a couple days, but it's a situation worth monitoring.
  
• Gonzalez continues to rake, adding a double and two more RBIs to his ledger. He's hitting .500 during the early going, in games that don't matter.
  
• Troy Tulowitzki continues to not rake, though he did pick up a sacrifice fly today. He's hitting a slick .000 and made the aforementioned error. With Paul Janish posting a three-hit day across town, is there a possibility of a position battle occurring at short stop?*
• Rex Brothers pitched a perfect inning.
• Chris Martin and Kraig Sitton both got rocked for two runs. Martin gave up back to back dingers while also striking out the side, which I bet is a rarity and something Jeff Sullivan should look into.
  

Colorado vs. Texas:

Across the desert in Surprise the Rockies laid a beat-down on the Texas Rangers, winning 8 to 2. You want highlights? Oh, you better believe you're getting highlights:

• Charlie Culberson notches three hits including a first inning homer. Charlie hasn't had a great camp, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, so it's nice to see him have a good day.
  
• Franklin Morales made his second start of the spring, and it was another good one. He went three innings, gave up three hits and an unearned run while striking out five and walking none. It's great to see the occasionally wild Morales control the strike zone.
• Fellow lefty of questionable command, Tyler Matzek, also pitched three beautiful frames. He allowed only one hit and one walk while fanning three. Ever since making his pro debut in 2010 Matzek has posted walk rates that nearly defied belief, and dropped him off most prospect radars. But he's still just 23 years old, and he's been working his way back to respectability, including a pretty solid 2013 in AA. 2014 will likely be a make-or-break year for Matzek.
• Chad Bettis also pitched a perfect inning, K-ing two. It seems pretty clear that he is now being groomed as a reliever, not a starter.
• Outfield battle update: Corey Dickerson keeps getting hits, spraying out another two base knocks, including a triple. Brandon Barnes and Drew Stubbs combined to go 0 for 8 with five strikeouts.

Anyway, it was a good day for Rockies fans. Anyone else already tired of Spring Training? Let's get some real baseball up in here.

*Statement made in jest