SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Ryan McMahon knows that when his swing is short, the ball often goes a long way.

McMahon tripled to the right-center wall in the first inning of the Rockies’ 3-2 victory over the Rangers on Friday, and by day’s end, he had a .372 batting average with a .996 OPS in Spring Training.

With a history of hot streaks but also lengthy slumps, McMahon, 29, believes he can stay steady. Since being selected in the second round of the 2013 Draft, McMahon has played under expectations of big home run and RBI seasons. But when he’s swinging well, the word that’s on his mind has nothing to do with busting the fences.

“For me, shorter,” McMahon said. “You’ve heard me say that plenty of times, but I really want to cut down on my swings and misses. I’ve done a good job so far and it’s something I’ll try to keep moving forward.

“Shorten up my swing, being handsy. … Last year when I was going good, it was a lot of the same swing thoughts.”

Notes

• Switch-hitting infielder-outfielder Greg Jones, acquired in a trade with the Rays on Thursday, felt he was making strides with his swing -- especially with balance from his left side. Now he will get to test the swing, and try to showcase his speed and defensive ability, in the final days of Rockies camp.

“I’m just trying not to put too much pressure on myself -- just playing the game that you have in front of you,” said Jones, who came into pro ball as a shortstop but has added center field to make use of his speed. “There are going to be a lot of new people around, but it’s just being yourself, letting them get to know you a little bit -- the type of player you are, the type of person you are. I am excited for sure.”

• Corner infield-outfield bat Michael Toglia tied the contest at 2 in the ninth with a home run to center field off Jack Leiter, before a double by Bradley Zimmer and an RBI single by No. 4 prospect Jordan Beck put the Rockies ahead, 3-2.

The homer was Toglia’s fifth of the spring, as he tries to get over the roster bubble and on to his first Opening Day squad.

“That’s what you like to see -- those types of swings, even though it’s an exhibition game, are confidence-builders,” Rockies manager Bud Black said of Toglia, who had an 0-for-10 slump entering the game.

• The defensive highlights seem to follow Rockies lefty and Opening Day starter Kyle Freeland. While pitching five scoreless innings (two hits, two walks, two strikeouts) on Friday, Freeland snatched Jonah Heim’s fourth-inning line drive with a flourish, then made a kick save on a hard Matt Duffy grounder in the fifth. The ball bounced high off his shoe and straight to Toglia at first base.

Earlier this spring, Freeland ranged hard to the third-base side and made a leaping, spinning throw for an out -- something he has done twice in regular-season games.

But Freeland, who finished his spring with a 2.37 ERA, said he doesn’t seek out the fielding gems and doesn't think about getting a Gold Glove.

“I take pride in my defense, as every pitcher should,” Freeland said. “But those kinds of accolades, if they’re going to happen, they’re going to unfold on their own. With pitchers, you can’t make every play nasty, or you’re going to end up sailing some stuff or making some bad throws. You’re better off setting your feet and making a good throw to whatever base.”

Freeland said his changeup -- his key emphasis -- was not as sharp. But catcher Elias Díaz (who homered and has a 1.054 spring OPS) and pitching coach Darryl Scott have learned the pitch along with Freeland, and he said they knew what to watch to keep him in the zone.

• Zimmer (3-for-4 with a stolen base) is hitting .378 in his bid to claim a backup outfield spot.

“Bradley had some good swings [today],” Black said. “I thought he showed very well.”

The team designated for assignment outfield hopeful Sam Hilliard on Thursday. But Zimmer could be in competition with Jones, who also plays shortstop.

• Two non-roster relievers, who are competing for what’s likely one spot, had solid sequences. After working a scoreless seventh inning, lefty Ty Blach gave up two runs in his second inning of work, with his slightly off-kilter throw to the plate on a fielder's choice being the culprit, but escaped his inning with a double play.

Righty Matt Koch gave up a leadoff double in the ninth, but kept the frame scoreless and struck out Alex De Goti swinging to end the game.