Major League Baseball

Tulowitzki returns to lineup for Colorado

Published Mar. 17, 2014 7:32 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) Troy Tulowitzki went 0-for-3 in his return from injury and Brett Anderson overcame a blister to throw six effective innings for the Colorado Rockies in a 9-7 victory over the San Diego Padres on Monday.

Tulowitzki committed a throwing error, but the shortstop said he felt good in his first game since being hit on the left calf by a pitch on Wednesday.

Anderson gave up a two-run homer to Xavier Nady on a changeup, and a two-run triple to Everth Cabrera, but was otherwise happy. Anderson allowed three earned runs and eight hits with five strikeouts and no walks.

''Minus the horrendous pitch to Nady, it was pretty good,'' he said.

Anderson, acquired in an offseason trade with Oakland, then pointed to a small, dried-out blister on his throwing hand. He said it came from a busy day at the plate that included an infield hit.

He said it was his first professional hit at any level, including spring training.

''It came into play a little bit the last couple innings, it got a little tender,'' Anderson said. ''But it's not an issue. I just can say I got a blister from hitting.''

Jason Pridie went 4 for 4, and Josh Rutledge was 3 for 4 with a homer for Colorado, which chased Padres starter Tyson Ross with one out in the fifth.

Ross gave up six runs and 12 hits.

STARTING TIME:

Rockies: Anderson, in line to start Colorado's second game of the regular season, has impressed manager Walt Weiss.

''He's everything we could have hoped for,'' Weiss said.

Padres: Ross, who was 3-8 with 3.17 ERA in 35 appearances for San Diego last season, had his first bad outing of the spring.

''At 80-plus pitches, that's getting close to where we need him to be,'' manager Bud Black said. ''He'll have two more starts to iron some things out.''

TRAINER'S ROOM:

Rockies: Left-hander Boone Logan threw about 30 pitches in a simulated game Monday as he recovers from offseason surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. ''The true test is how he shows up (Tuesday),'' Weiss said, ''but it looks like it's another big step forward for him.''

Padres: Black said third baseman Chase Headley (calf) could make his spring debut Thursday. ... Closer Huston Street (groin) is scheduled to pitch in his first big league game on Tuesday.

WIELAND'S ELBOW:

Padres right-hander Joe Wieland, who missed all of last season after reconstructive elbow surgery, returned to San Diego to meet with team doctors and undergo an MRI.

Black said Wieland felt pain in the back of his elbow - not where the ligament was replaced - while pitching on Saturday.

''Hopefully, with time and rest, we'll get him back on the horse at some point,'' Black said.

Wieland has allowed nine runs and 14 hits with six walks in seven innings this spring.

CENTER OF ATTENTION:

Drew Stubbs started in center field for Colorado, led off and went 1 for 4 with a stolen base. That left him hitting .323.

Brandon Barnes (.359) and Charlie Blackmon (.265) are also contending for the starting job that opened when Dexter Fowler was traded to Houston.

''It's one of the toughest decisions we have,'' Weiss said.

BENOIT SHINES:

The oldest guy in San Diego's clubhouse, 36-year-old Joaquin Benoit, has been one of the most impressive.

The right-hander, signed to a two-year, $15.5 million deal to be the setup man, has struck out 11 with no walks in six shutout innings.

What's been working?

''Everything, I guess,'' Benoit said. ''But this is spring training.''

Benoit, who pitched for Detroit last season, said most of his strikeouts have come on changeups. He's still working on his fastball command.

''I'm just trying to establish my fastball inside more to righties,'' Benoit said.

share

Get more from Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Major League Baseball