Rockies rally to dump Angels

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Jose Morales’ two-run single snapped a 1-1 tie and ignited a seven-run eighth-inning rally for the Colorado Rockies, paving the way to an 8-1 Cactus League victory over the Angels on Wednesday.

The outburst came against left-hander Trevor Reckling, who also gave up an RBI double to Hernan Iribarren and a two-run two-out home run to Ben Paulsen. Reckling hit two batters in the inning as well and has given up 11 runs in four innings this spring.

Starter Scott Kazmir struggled through his own eventful outing, giving up five hits, four walks, committing a wild pitch and making a throwing error in three-plus innings. But the only run he allowed was unearned.

“I feel like I made progress,” he said. “I can take a couple of things out of here.”

Kazmir said he’s thrown well in bullpen sessions but finds himself rushing his delivery in the competitive atmosphere of a game. Wednesday he was able to control that a bit.

“I really feel like I’m this close to making the transfer from bullpen to the game,” he said.

The Angels also got scoreless innings in relief from Kevin Jepsen, Jordan Walden and Jason Bulger.

Walden has allowed just one hit in three scoreless appearances this spring.

Outfielder Cole Garner went 3 for 4 for the Rockies, who also got two hits from Iribarren.

For the Angels, catcher Bobby Wilson had a pair of hits, lifting his spring average to .429. He also drove in the only Angels’ run, scoring Mark Trumbo from third with an infield hit in the second. For Trumbo, the run scored was his eighth of the spring, which leads the team.

-- Kevin Baxter in Tempe, Ariz.