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Rockies First pitch

Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published March 14, 2007 at midnight

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GAME DAY

John Mabry added to his bid to make the team as a utility player with a tying double in the bottom of the eighth inning of the Rockies' 5-5, 10-inning tie against San Diego at Hi Corbett Field on Tuesday. Mabry is hitting .400 this spring and has played first base and third. He will play in the outfield in the final two weeks of the spring. He is battling Alexis Gomez, Cory Sullivan and Ryan Spilborghs for a roster spot.

Left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis gave up four runs before getting an out but allowed only one other run in 4 2/3 innings. . . . Left-hander Oscar Rivera and right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez will pitch in a "B" game this morning at the White Sox complex.

TEMPER, TEMPER

Lamar native Doug Brocail was involved in controversy Tuesday when, for the second time in four days, he hit the first Rockies batter he faced with a pitch. Brocail, who hit shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on the right wrist Saturday, hit Matt Holliday on the left hand to open the fourth inning Tuesday. In the fifth inning, Rockies starter Francis was ejected when he threw a pitch that went behind the back of third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, an Evergreen High graduate.

Brocail said he had trouble Tuesday because he had a cracked fingernail and the pitch to Holliday sailed up and in.

IN RELIEF

Right-hander Taylor Buchholz was officially moved into the bullpen, working the final two innings of the Rockies game. Buchholz joins LaTroy Hawkins as the only right-handers set with bullpen jobs. Manny Corpas and Ramon Ramirez have the inside track for the two other jobs, but Matt Herges, Bobby Keppel and Dave Veres have had impressive spring starts.

"The big thing is learning to get ready quicker," Buchholz said. "I think I will be a good fit. I can go three, four innings, spot start or come in to get a hitter in a situation."

Today's game

Rockies (Rodrigo Lopez) vs. Royals (Zack Greinke), 2:05 p.m. MDT, Surprise Sports Complex (no television or radio).