Rockies jump on Mariners in Felix's debut

March 14th, 2016

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Tyler Chatwood continued his comeback from Tommy John surgery with three scoreless innings and Ryan Raburn and Trevor Story supplied the offensive fireworks as the Rockies topped the Mariners, 6-4, in Felix Hernandez's spring debut on Monday at Peoria Stadium.
Chatwood allowed two walks and no hits in his second Cactus League start, while Raburn went 3-for-3 with four RBIs and Story continued his outstanding spring as the rookie shortstop clubbed his fourth home run and tripled in a 2-for-3 day with a walk and three runs scored.
Felix shakes off rust, feels fine after spring debut
The Mariners got back-to-back homers from Adam Lind and Franklin Gutierrez in the sixth inning. Lind, the team's new first baseman, went 2-for-3 with a double and two RBIs in addition to his first homer. Gutierrez continued his own torrid spring as he followed with his third homer in Cactus League play in a 2-for-3 day that put his average at .462 (6-for-13) with five RBIs.

Hernandez was pulled after giving up six hits and three runs in 2 1/3 innings as he hit his 50-pitch limit. The 29-year-old ace struck out five and walked one.
"I feel really good with things right now, but my fastball needs command," Hernandez said. "Three more games and I'll be ready for April 4."

Chatwood, who missed most of 2014 and all of last season following Tommy John surgery, has a 2.57 ERA after three Cactus League outings, including two starts.
"Everything feels normal, feels strong," Chatwood said. "Just keep building endurance and keep going. Coming into Spring Training I had nothing to worry about health-wise. I just focused on pitching. Today was just getting a feel for my sinker. It's been kind of inconsistent. Today was a big focus on that. There's still some work to do, but it felt good today."

Up next for Mariners: Former Gonzaga hurler Cody Martin makes his first Cactus League start on Tuesday at 1:10 p.m. PT, live on MLB.TV and Gameday Audio, against the Angels in Tempe. The 26-year-old right-hander was claimed off waivers from the A's over the offseason and has pitched twice in relief this spring, allowing four hits and two runs in five frames. Wade Miley normally would have started this game, but he'll work against Minor League hitters in Peoria to avoid pitching against the rival Angels for a second time this spring.
Up next for Rockies: Left-hander Jorge De La Rosa, who struck out four in three scoreless innings in his spring debut, will start at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Tuesday against the Athletics. Lefty Yohan Flande, who has a 2.25 ERA and six strikeouts in four innings, and potential closer Jason Motte also are scheduled to pitch in the 2:10 p.m. MT contest, broadcast live on Gameday Audio