TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -Jeff Francis felt a bit more fatigued after his second spring training start this season than he has at the same point in the past.
Then again the 27-year-old left-hander never had to pitch through the end of October.
“I started (throwing) in January, just like normal,” Francis said after a Colorado Rockies split squad lost to the Mexico National All-Stars, 2-1 Sunday.
If Francis is tired, he doesn’t look it. He threw 45 pitches, allowing two hits, one earned run and striking out two in three innings.
Francis, the Rockies’ opening day starter, has thrown five innings this spring and has given up five hits and two earned runs, striking out three and walking one.
“The good thing was just going out there and throwing three innings, getting up and down three times,” Francis said. “You can feel it. You think about (pitching) three innings in the regular season and it’s nothing.”
Bench coach Jamie Quirk, filling in for manager Clint Hurdle who was in Phoenix with another split squad, was pleased with Francis’ performance.
“I don’t take anything away (from the Mexico National team), but you know maybe his demeanor or adrenaline would have been different if we were playing a regular team,” Quirk said. “He might have known hitters better, but he’s just trying to get his work in for right now. … and he’s doing great. That’s what we wanted today.”
Mexico center fielder Ivan Terrazas led off the third off the wall in right-center and scored on Albino Contreras’ sacrifice fly when Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe’s throw sailed over the head of catcher Edwin Bellorin, giving Mexico a 1-0 lead.
“I got into some trouble with (my changeup). Some guys ran into it,” Francis said. “I got one guy to roll over on it in the first inning. Still, it could be better, especially to left- handers. (Terrazas) hit a triple and the ball was middle in and he was all over it. If it was middle away that would have been a better pitch.”
The Rockies beat the Mexico National team 15-2 Friday.
Mexico’s starting pitcher Walter Silva stifled the Rockies for 4 2-3 shutout innings. Silva got the win and allowed two hits, four walks and struck out four. He got a standing ovation by the strong contingent of Mexico fans in attendance when he was pulled in the fifth inning.
Colorado second baseman Marcus Giles was 1-for-1 with a walk, and Clint Barmes hit an RBI double in the seventh. Barmes’ double was Colorado’s only extra base hit of the game.
Relief pitcher Luis Viscaino pitched a perfect ninth for the Rockies.
“He looked good, kept the ball down,” Quirk said. “I saw (pitching coach Bob Apodaca) talking to him after the game about rushing, but when you’re pitching late in the game like that after you’ve been sitting all day (it happens). … He’s a veteran, he’s a guy we’re going to be counting on.”
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