The Associated Press

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Jhoulys Chacin welcomed running into a little bit of trouble Monday. It gave him a focus point for his next outing.

Chacin pitched five sharp innings, working out of a jam in the third, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Cincinnati Reds 3-2.

“What you’re beginning to see with this kid is that he is gaining a real understanding of pitching,” Rockies manager Jim Tracy said. “What you saw is someone growing.”

Chacin walked the first two batters he faced in the third and was able to pitch out of it, allowing only one run.

Jose Lopez singled in the bottom of the ninth to drive in the winning run. Jordan Pacheco had two hits and an RBI for the Rockies, who have won seven of their last eight. Seth Smith also drove in a run.

“I like what we did,” Tracy said. “It was another very good day.”

Scott Rolen had an RBI for the Reds, who have lost two in a row for the first time this spring.

Chacin allowed one run and four hits. He walked two and struck out four.

Reds starter Chad Reineke pitched two scoreless innings, allowing a hit and walking one. He’s yielded one run over his last seven innings, a span of three starts.

“He’s been around for a while and it seems like he always keeps winning,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “He reminds me of the guy whose stuff doesn’t wow you but he gets you out.”

The 30-year-old Reineke has had a couple of brief stints in the major leagues with the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics.

Jonny Gomes was 0 for 3 and his average fell to .080. He did hit the ball hard in his first at-bat, a line drive to center field.

“I’m not concerned,” Baker said. “I look at how guys hit the ball. We have two weeks left and he can get plenty of hitting. We can send him to a minor league game where he can get concentrated hitting.”

NOTES: The Reds reassigned LHP Philippe Valiquette, RHP Daryl Thompson, C Yasmani Grandal, OF Danny Dorn, C Chris Denove, LHP Jeremy Horst, LHP Donnie Joseph, RHP Matt Kliner and RHP Justin Lehr to minor league camp. … The Rockies optioned RHPs Edgmer Escalona, Juan Nicasio and Cory Riordan to minor league camp. … Reds RHP Edinson Volquez will pitch in a minor league game Tuesday to remain on schedule. … Reds LHP Dontrelle Willis was back throwing off a mound a day after turning his right ankle. … Rockies RHP John Maine allowed two runs and four hits over three innings in a “B” game against the Los Angeles Angels in Tempe. … Rockies 3B Ian Stewart (right knee sprain) was 2 for 4 with a walk in the “B” game, his first game action since the Cactus League opener. … Colorado RHP Claudio Vargas is out indefinitely with a strain in his right hamstring.