Rangers’ pitching, defense falter again as Rockies roll 9-6

The Rangers lost their fifth consecutive game (in Arizona) as the defense again faltered in a 9-6 loss to the Colorado Rockies Monday at Surprise Stadium.

Pitching: Martin Perez allowed four runs (three earned) on seven hits and two walks over 4  1/3 . He struck out four and allowed just one extra-base hit, a double to Nolan Arenado in the first inning. With one out in the fifth, a throwing error by Perez on a pick-off attempt and three consecutive singles knocked him from the game. Fifth-starter candidate Jeremy Guthrie recorded two quick outs in the sixth before a single and consecutive homers to straightaway center field gave Colorado a 7-3 lead. Guthrie allowed five runs (three earned) on five hits in three innings. Francisco Mendoza, who was assigned, struck out two in a perfect ninth.

Hitting: Ryan Rua remained scorching at the plate with three more hits, including his fifth double of the spring. Rua is now batting .472. Rougned Odor and Hanser Alberto each had two hits. Odor collected his second double in the sixth. Alberto and Delino DeShields both bunted for singles in the third. Prospect Josh Morgan (catcher/infielder) homered in the ninth to make it 9-6.

Notable: Ian Desmond threw out Arenado at home by 5 feet on a sharp single to left in the fourth. Arenado had rounded third when Desmond fielded the ball in stride. DeShields was charged with an error after misplaying a grounder in center, which allowed an extra run to score.

This story was originally published March 21, 2016 at 6:55 PM with the headline "Rangers’ pitching, defense falter again as Rockies roll 9-6."