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Rockies Take 8-6 Win Over Rangers

Colorado rookie shortstop Trevor Story hit his fifth home run of spring training and doubled twice against Texas Rangers starter Martin Perez in the Rockies' 8-6 victory Saturday.

The Rockies rolled out an "A" lineup, which manager Walt Weiss acknowledged was "pretty close" to what he'll have on opening day. Story batted second and is the likely starter at shortstop with Jose Reyes on paid leave pending domestic violence charges.

Story overcame an early fielding error to boost his average to .381.

"Hitting behind Charlie (Blackmon), it seems like every time he's on first or second when I come up to hit," Story said. "Then we've got the big boys behind me. I love hitting second. It's definitely freeing."

Perez also gave up RBI doubles to Nolan Arenado and Brandon Barnes. He pitched into the sixth inning, allowing four runs on seven hits with six strikeouts and no walks. The lefty hitters in Colorado's lineup went a combined 0 for 9 against him.

Rockies starter Chad Bettis worked 5 1/3 innings and allowed only one earned run and four hits with three walks.

STARTING TIME

Rangers: Perez, the team's No. 2 starter, was happy with his velocity and most of his pitches. He did a rare thing in the fourth when he struck out Arenado on a changeup, dropping his average to .545.

"He's a good third baseman and good leader, but finally I get a strikeout," Perez said.

Rockies: Errors by Story, Barnes in right field and catcher Nick Hundley made it more difficult for Bettis in his 89-pitch outing. Lined up to pitch Colorado's second game of the season, Bettis struck out two in 5 1/3 innings.

"It felt good to be stretched out for sure," Bettis said. "I'm going to be sore (Sunday) and I got a little tired. It was good."

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rangers: OF Delino DeShields (right biceps) returned as the DH. He went 0 for 4 with a sacrifice fly from the leadoff spot. DeShields, who exited Tuesday's game early, played in a minor league game Friday.

Rockies: LHP Chris Rusin allowed a run and four hits with a strikeout while getting four outs in his spring debut. Rusin had been sidelined since being scratched from his first start with left middle finger inflammation.

MARTINEZ'S BID

RHP Nick Martinez replaced Perez with nobody out in the sixth. He allowed three earned runs and four hits with two walks in three innings. He also threw two wild pitches. Martinez is trying to earn the fifth starter job.

"It wasn't the outing I think Nick was looking for," Texas manager Jeff Banister said.

RANGERS ROSTER

Texas sent James Jones to minor league camp, a hint that speedy veteran Drew Stubbs could be the Rangers' fourth outfielder. Stubbs spent parts of two seasons in Colorado.

HUNDLEY STRUGGLES

Hundley committed two of Colorado's five errors, including on a throw back to the pitcher.

DECISIONS

With RHP Jon Gray (abdominal) sidelined for a couple weeks, Weiss hasn't decided whether to start the season with a four- or five-man rotation. Thanks to early off days, Colorado wouldn't need a fifth starter until as late as April 18.

Weiss said if the Rockies begin with four starters, they would likely break camp with eight relievers.

Weiss indicated there is "some debate" and no decision on the starter for the April 8 home opener against San Diego.

UP NEXT

Rangers: RHP Colby Lewis starts Sunday against an Arizona split squad.

Rockies: RHP Christian Bergman starts against the other Diamondbacks split squad.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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