A contingent of Colorado Rockies prospects faced off against a contingent of Arizona Diamondbacks prospects in the third annual Spring Breakout game, and the heat ended up being a little too much for the Rockies prospects to handle. It was 104 degrees at first pitch, and 93 by the time the game ended around 7pm local time.
The first-pitch heat nearly foreshadowed the final score, with the Arizona team ultimately coming out on top in the duel in the desert.
Brody Brecht (No. 3 PuRP) got the start for the Rockies prospect crew, and he did not have a good outing. Things unraveled early, as an error by Charlie Condon (No. 1 PuRP) allowed JD Dix to reach. Then, Jansel Luis singled, followed by back-to-back walks by LuJames Groover and Ryan Waldschmidt to put the Snakes up early. Brecht came back and struck out Gavin Conticello, but then Jose Fernandez and Druw Jones hit back-to-back singles to score three more runs. However, Carlos Virahonda struck out to end the inning after Jones was caught stealing.
Brecht would come back for the second and got a quick ground out of Kayson Cunningham. However, Dix and Luis walked again and Groover drove in Dix as Groover was out at second. After that, Brecht’s day would come to an end.
Final line: 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 4 BB, 2 K
Roldy Brito (No. 11 PuRP) had an excellent day at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. He also attempted to steal a base, but was throw out by catcher Carlos Virahonda to end the second inning.
Ethan Holliday (No. 2 PuRP) went 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBI, a walk and a strikeout, also knocking a double. He scored Brito and Wilder Dalis (No. 24 PuRP) in the first inning to put the Rockies up 2-0 early before things fell apart on the pitchers mound (see above).
Dalis went 1-for-3 with a double, a run scored and a walk; while Andy Perez went 1-for-3 with a triple, a run scored and strikeout. Condon didn’t have any hits, but he did walk twice.
In total, Rockies pitching gave up 10 walks. The only relievers who did not give up a walk were Fidel Ulloa (0.1 IP), Jackson Cox (2.0 IP, 2 H, 3 K), and Welinton Herrera (No. 17 PuRP; 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 ER)
In the seventh inning, JB Middleton (No. 7 PuRP) came in relieve Antoine Jean, and he immediately issued three-straight walks to start the inning. He got Jose Alpuria to ground into a force out at second, but then an error by Sebastian Blanco put Anderdson Rojas on and allowed Angel Ortiz to score and put the Snakes up 9-3.
Cade Denton entered in relief of Middleton, immediately walking Cristofer Torin. But then he induced an inning-ending double play to get out of the jam.
The Major League Rockies will finish up their regular spring training schedule tomorrow against the Athletics. They then host the Detroit Tigers in two exhibition games on Monday and Tuesday before heading to Miami for Opening Day.
First pitch is at 2:10pm MT, and hopefully we don’t all melt.
See you (on MLB Gameday) then!
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