Murphy making strong push for roster spot

MESA, Ariz. -- Rockies catcher Tom Murphy would love for his full spring to mirror his fourth-inning home run off Cubs lefty Wyatt Short in Thursday’s 7-5 victory.

Murphy would like to leave no doubt.

His homer sure didn’t. Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber heard the ignition, saw the takeoff and didn’t even turn around to view the landing. Murphy also had a three-run double on a 3-for-3, four-RBI day that brought his Cactus League batting average to .353 with two homers in 19 at-bats. It’s a strong argument for a catcher who is out of Minor League options, meaning he can’t be sent down without being exposed to waivers.

“I’m at a point where I’m just trying to be as calm and relaxed as I possibly can be, because I want to cut down my strikeouts, having more quality at-bats,” Murphy said. “As long as I do that, I’m going to be in a good place throughout the spring.”

Murphy has a .219/.271/.439 slash line over parts of four seasons. Last year he hit .226 with two homers, 11 RBIs, 44 strikeouts and three walks in 93 at-bats.

Veteran Chris Iannetta is hitless in 15 at-bats, not that anyone is laser-focusing on spring performance. Tony Wolters, who has seen considerable big-league time over three seasons, is hitting .182 in 11 at-bats in an illness-affected spring. Iannetta turns 36 in April and will need ample off time. Wolters signed a one-year, $960,000 contract to avoid arbitration, but he has a Minor League option.

Sneaky pop

Garrett Hampson, who is a candidate for starts at second base but started Thursday at shortstop, knocked his club-leading third homer -- a third-inning leadoff shot off Jon Lester.

Hampson’s speed is his best offensive tool and the one that allows the Rockies to use him in spots for guys who can run (he played center field Wednesday). But he is demonstrating power. He is not the biggest player, listed at 5-foot-11 and 188 pounds, although he put on some muscle weight this winter. But he is dangerous.

“You watch him in BP and he’s got some sneaky pop,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “He might be a little small by stature, but he’s a strong guy. The beauty of it is he knows his game -- speed, put the ball in play, lay a bunt down, get the ball in the gap.”

Up to the challenge

Outfielder David Dahl had a slow start against left-handed pitchers last year, but his confidence never wavered. Thursday, he popped his first spring homer -- a two-run, opposite-way shot to left off Lester. Dahl recalls almost getting the best of Lester in last year’s National League Wild Card Game, a 2-1 Rockies victory at Wrigley Field.

“I just missed one -- Albert Almora Jr. made a nice play on the wall, so it was nice to get him,” Dahl said, smiling.

Comeback kids

Lefty Mike Dunn, who underwent surgery in September to correct an impingement in his left shoulder, struck out two in his inning and has had three scoreless frames with four strikeouts and one hit this spring.

"What I like is that he is pain-free and he's throwing the ball free and easy,” Black said.

Also, righty Carlos Estévez backed up a dominating inning in his last outing, against the Rangers, by striking out the side in the eighth against the Cubs. Estevez didn’t pitch in the Majors last season because of oblique and elbow injuries. He is out of Minor League options and trying to force his way into a crowded bullpen.

Back on track

Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela gave up three hits and two runs, on Willson Contreras’ screaming double, in the first, and another run in the second. But Senzatela forced grounders from Kris Bryant, Schwarber and Contreras to finish his outing.

“The first two innings, I threw the ball too much over the plate and not on the black,” Senzatela said. “But I got good results with the breaking pitch.”

Murphy, who can earn playing time with his game-calling as much as with his bat, chided himself for not adjusting his target.

“Maybe the first couple of innings were on me a little bit, where I wasn't getting to the corners for him -- he’s so good with his command,” Murphy said. “Anything else is just too much of the plate. For me, it was adjusting to him because he was doing his job out there. And he did a great job of executing from there on out.”

Up next

Lefty Kyle Freeland will start Friday’s game against the Rangers at 1:10 p.m. MT at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Texas will start righty Lance Lynn.