Thursday’s recap

Rockies 3, Reds 2

At Salt River Fields

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.» An obvious outlier was listed in the Rockies’ batting order Thursday, with eight slots filled by prospects, rookies and bench players, and a ninth as Nolan Arenado.

Top prospect Brendan Rodgers, playing shortstop and second base, singled twice in four at-bats and left fielder Sam Hilliard doubled and hit the game-winning single to left as the Rockies posted a 3-2 victory over the visiting Reds.

“It’s good to see these guys in these situations. This is great experience,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “These are little steps. Even though it’s a spring training game, it’s bigleague camp. We look for these things. We want to know these players, to see what they can do.”

Hilliard, 24, was a 15th-round draft pick in 2015 out of Wichita State. He hit .300 with an .847 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) at Single-A Lancaster last year. Arenado went 0-for-2 with a walk.

On the mound

Kyle Freeland was scheduled for four innings but made it through only three after reaching a pitchcount limit in his third spring start. He gave up one run on three hits, but his goal, he said, was to locate a tailing fastball down in the zone. “I felt much more on top of the ball, commanding the zone,” the lefthander said.

At the plate

Designated hitter Noel Cuevas doubled on a sharp line drive to center field in the fourth inning to score catcher Tom Murphy. He also set down a successful sacrifice bunt.

Worth noting

Former Rockies prospect Rosell Herrera singled, stole second base and scored on a single in the first inning. … Colorado reliever Bryan Shaw pitched a 1-2-3 fourth inning, all groundouts.

Up next

Rockies vs. Cleveland at Salt River Fields, Friday at 1:10 p.m. Rockies RHP Jon Gray is scheduled to pitch four innings. Cleveland will start RHP Corey Kluber.