SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Eddie Butler was shaky in his final audition for a starting job, giving up a two-run home run to Logan Morrison and balking in a run in the Colorado Rockies’ 6-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Saturday.
Manager Walt Weiss wanted to see the 24-year-old pitch effectively after the right-hander didn’t get out of the first inning in his last start due to a tired shoulder. Butler said he was healthy, but was charged with five runs and six hits while getting seven outs.
“Everything felt good with that, but just a couple bad pitches today,” Butler said.
Weiss said they’ll decide Sunday whether Butler or Christian Bergman gets the last roster spot.
Justin Morneau hit a solo home run in the second off Seattle starter Taijuan Walker, only the second run he allowed in 27 innings. Walker finished spring training with a 0.67 ERA, more than enough to earn the fourth rotation spot.
Robinson Cano and Nelson Cruz each singled off Butler before exiting early in the teams’ final exhibition game.
Walker didn’t allow another hit after Morneau and struck out two in two innings. It’s the first time the 22-year-old has been on a major league opening day roster. “I’ve been dreaming about this for a long time,” Walker said.
Rockies: Butler said he saw a pickoff sign, then hesitated before eventually throwing toward third because Rafael Ynoa wasn’t at the bag for the run-scoring balk. “I’m happy with my spring,” Butler said. “Couple games I wish were better, obviously today.”
Morrison credits his hitting coach with helping him bust out of a slump.
“Howard Johnson kind of banned me from the cage. I was taking too many swings,” Morrison said. “It wasn’t any more than I was taking in Seattle, but it’s a little cooler in Seattle.”
Morrison said he got too technical as he went 0 for 19 before “clearing out all the noise.” He followed Friday’s RBI single by crushing Butler’s misplaced fastball to left in his first at-bat.
It was a nice way to head into Monday’s opener against the Los Angeles Angels.
“Can’t wait to play in front of a sold-out crowd,” he said.
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