Dodgers Claim 9-4 Victory Against Rockies

By Tracy Ringolsby/All Things Rockies

ON THE MOUND

— It wasn’t a good afternoon for the Rockies. They tied the score in the bottom of the seventh at 4-4, but the Dodgers responded with a five-run eighth inning.

— Rockies pitchers struck out 11, giving them a Cactus League leading 52 strikeouts this spring.

— Right-hander John Curtiss, who spent 2023 with the Rockies AAA affiliate at Albuquerque, struck out Mookie Betts and Austin Barmes in the first inning, but also gave up a run and two walks while tetiring two batters.

— Right-hander Jeff Criswell, a non-roster invitee who was a second-round draft pick by Oakland in 2020, gave up three runs and a walk in 1 1/3 innings.

— Right-hander Thomas Ponticelli, expected to open the regular season at AAA Albuquerque, gave up five earned runs and retired only two batters in what was the game-winning ninth.

— Righthanded pitchers Jaden Hill, Matt Carasiti and Tyler Kinley, and left-handed pitchers Jalen Beeks and Evan Justice combined to work five scoreless innings. Lefty Josh Roldgers added another 1 1/3 scoreless frames.

AT THE PLATE

— First baseman Kris Bryant and DH Elias Diaz delivered their first home runs of the spring.

— Bryant went deep off Nabil Crismatt in the third inning.

— Diaz connected off Gus Varland in the fourth.

— The home runs gave the Rockies a Cactus League-leading seven.

— Shortstop Brendan Rodgers and catching prospect Drew Romo had an RBI apiece.

TUESDAY PITCHING STAFF

Ryan Feltner

Gavin Hollowell .

Victor Vodnik

Jack Bird

Nick Mears

Geoff Hartlieb

Juan Mejia