Rockies 5, A's 4: Ben Paulsen's walk-off double lifts Rockies

Before this game I highlighted the six Rockies position players who were likely to be on the team's Opening Day lineup...so naturally it was three players not on the 40 man roster who provided a major lift to the team in a 5-4 win over the Oakland A's this afternoon.

First base non-roster invitee Ben Paulsen was 3-5 with two RBI, including a wind-aided double that drove in Cristhian Adames with the winning run to give Colorado a walk-off win. Fellow NRIs Jason Pridie (3-3 with a run) and Matt McBride (2-2) also stood out for the Rockies, who had 15 hits in the game but were only able to scratch out five runs in the process.

Among likely MLB position players, Troy Tulowitzki went 1-3 with a two-out RBI double in the first inning. After a RBI double by Paulsen, Nolan Arenado (1-3 on the game) followed with Colorado's third straight two out RBI (on a single). The Rockies also scratched out a run in the 4th on a Charlie Blackmon ground-out.

On the mound, Brett Anderson provided decent results against his former team. In three innings of work, Anderson allowed one run (on a first inning triple that was misplayed by Blackmon) on three hits and striking out one. Troy Renck interviewed Anderson after the game.

Anderson wasn't the only player to pitch against his old team as the man he was traded for, Drew Pomeranz, threw 1.1 innings against the Rockies, allowing a run on two hits.

In other Rockies pitching news, Christian Friedrich struggled in his bid to make the team, allowing two runs on four hits in two innings pitched, though he did strike out three. Jon Gray also pitched two innings, giving up a run on two hits while punching out two. Chad Bettis pitched through a hit and a walk in the 9th inning to get the win.

The Rockies will send Juan Nicasio (and Eddie Butler) out tomorrow against the Royals at 1:05. See you then.

Roll Call

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