Rockies Fall to Rangers 6-5: A Party of K’s, Game Notes and Scouting Takeaways

Rangers Batting

The Rangers lineup was missing Adrian Beltre, Nomar Mazara, Carlos Gomez, and Ryan Rua, but that didn’t stop them from getting six runs across the plate. Leadoff man Delino DeShields Jr. had himself a day at the plate, going 2-2 with a pair of singles and a pair of walks. He also scored a run and stole a base.

DeShields wasn’t the only guy to show up for Texas. Mike Napoli was also 2-2 on the day, scoring two runs and driving one in on a homer and a double. The Rangers also got three hits out of Robinson Chirinos, two of which were doubles. Chirinos went 3-4 on Monday, driving in a run and scoring one himself. Five different Rangers drove in a run. In addition to DeShields, Napoli and Chirinos, Drew Robinson and Luke Tendler recorded an RBI each.

As I mentioned earlier, there were an abundance of strikeouts in this game. The Rangers certainly contributed to this outcome, striking out 11 times. Shin-Soo Choo, Michael De Leon, Drew Robinson, and Jared Hoying each whiffed twice Monday. They accounted for nearly three quarters of the 11 strikeouts, despite appearing in less than a third of the team’s at bats. These weren’t just eight unlucky swings and misses though, considering Choo, De Leon, and Hoying all went hitless as well. Luckily for the Rangers, Choo is the only player from this grouping that is expected to see regular major league at bats in 2017.

Rockies Batting

Colorado’s only player to get multiple hits in this game was Alexi Amarista. Typically this would mean that either the lineup was void of starters, or the offense was out of rhythm. In Monday’s case, it was both. The only regulars in the game for the Rockies were Gerardo Parra, DJ LeMahieu and Trevor Story. That trio combined to go 1-for-10 in the game with a walk and three strikeouts. Still, the Rockies managed to put five runs on the board (all earned).

Their first two runs came on a bases-loaded single by pitcher Kyle Freeland, with two outs in the second inning. Amarista crushed a ball to center field in the fifth to tie the Rangers 3-3, and that was all they did until the ninth. Because there were only about 1/3 of the normal starters in the game, this contest was not a very good gauge for regular season expectations.

Maybe the biggest takeaway for the Rockies in this one came by way of Jordan Patterson. Patterson, who is a first baseman/outfielder, has had a pretty good showing this spring. Following a leadoff double in the ninth by Pat Valaika, Patterson lined another two-bagger to right to bring the Rockies within two runs of Texas. This was Patterson’s eighth double of the spring, which nicely complements 2 home runs and a .271 preseason average. I thought he deserved a look at first base in light of the injury to Ian Desmond, but instead Colorado went out and re-signed Mark Reynolds. At the end of the day, there was little to write home about for the Rockies offensively in this one.

Rangers Pitching

With Allen Webster on the mound, there was little expectation to witness a lights-out pitching performance. Webster did OK for Texas, giving up two runs, two walks, and striking out three in 4.1 innings of work. In a regular season game, this would be cause for concern. During Spring Training though, it’s just another day of warm-ups. At best, Webster was going to be a long man out of the bullpen and a spot starter for Texas. There’s still a possibility of that happening later in the season, but it was announced the next day that he would not be making the Opening Day roster.

Relievers

As a whole the team gave up 5 runs, but there were still three relievers to have a scoreless appearance. The trio of Sam Dyson, Keone Kela and Wes Benjamin combined for 3 IP and 4 Ks, allowing no runs. That’s not bad at all, but they did surrender two walk across those three innings. Kela’s appearance may have been the most exciting, as he and catcher Robinson Chirinos teamed up for a strike him out/throw him out double play to end the seventh inning.

Benjamin was the freshest of the group, as Monday’s was his first Spring Training appearance. He definitely opened eyes though, striking out the side. He did give up a walk to Chris Denorfia, but it was on a full count in an eight-pitch at bat. In other words, Denorfia had to work for it.

With Webster only on the hook for two runs, there were three more to be accounted for. Preston Claiborne and Brady Feigl were the other two Rangers pitchers to give up runs on Monday, though one of Feigl’s was unearned. Claiborne allowed the solo home run to Amarista in the fifth on a slider left over the plate. Feigl gave up two runs in the ninth off the back to back doubles by Valiaka and Patterson, then an error by Michael De Leon brought Patterson in. Of the six pitchers to make an appearance on Monday for Texas, only Dyson and Kela will be on the Opening Day roster.

Rockies Pitching

In one of, if not his last opportunity to make the starting rotation, lefty Kyle Freeland had mixed results. His five strikeouts in 4.2 innings pitched were impressive, but the 4 runs surrendered were not. The three walks allowed are also a cause for concern, but Freeland still has a chance to break the Opening Day rotation. He served up a walk to Delino DeShields Jr. to begin the bottom of the first, but quickly erased him on a smooth pickoff throw.

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Freeland allowed a leadoff home run to Mike Napoli in the fourth, albeit on a well-placed fastball hugging the outside border of the zone. That’s where Napoli likes the ball, though, and he crushed it to right to give Texas a 3-2 lead.

Based on his pitch locations throughout the start, it appeared that Freeland was going for a strikeout every at bat. That’s an acceptable approach for flamethrowers like Chris Sale, Chris Archer, and Aroldis Chapman. But when your fastball clocks in at 93 mph, pitching to contact in certain situations may be a good idea.

Relievers

There were two relievers to appear in Monday’s game for the Rockies: Harrison Musgrave and Greg Holland. Musgrave, who spent last season split between AA and AAA, was very impressive in 2.1 IP. He gave up no runs, allowed four hits and a walk in that span, but also struck out four Rangers. The first of his four Ks was the most vital. He entered the fifth inning with runners on first and second with two outs, and struck out Rougned Odor to escape the threat.

Following a pair of scoreless innings by Musgrave, it was Greg Holland’s turn to take the mound. In case you forgot, Holland was one of the best relievers/closers in the game from 2011-2014 with the Royals. He’s a year removed from action, as he lost the 2016 season to Tommy John surgery.

Next: Mariners 7, Reds 6 - Scouting Report

In the one inning he pitched, Holland did not look good. Three hits and two runs, including a triple and a double, gave the Rangers a three-run cushion headed into the ninth. He struck out Franklin Rollin and Michael De Leon to end the eighth, but the damage had already been done. Considering he’s only pitched 5.1 innings (all in Spring Training) since the end of 2015, the Rockies would be playing it safe to give Holland a week or two in the minors to get back into form. Their front office doesn’t seem worried, as he’s projected to make the Opening Day roster.