TUCSON - The Rockies have high expectations for the three former Astros they acquired for Jason Jennings in the offseason.

But there's another former Astros player trying to make an impact, too.

Left-handed reliever Mike Gallo, signed to a minor league contract when Houston left him off its winter roster, hoped to make a good enough impression to be called up later in the season.

Gallo took a good step Tuesday afternoon, working a relatively easy scoreless inning in the Rockies' 6-3 exhibition victory against the Chicago White Sox at Tucson Electric Park.

While the hope for the marquee former Astros is Jason Hirsh will emerge in the starting rotation, Taylor Buchholz will assume a bullpen role and Willy Taveras will become the leadoff hitter and center fielder, Gallo is hoping to position himself as a stopgap down the road.

The Rockies came to spring training seemingly set with left- handed relievers, having brought back Tom Martin and Jeremy Affeldt in addition to closer Brian Fuentes.

But strange things can happen in baseball.

Like early spring training struggles by Martin and Affeldt, although there is no panic about those two right now.

"There are 26 days to go," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "They've got plenty of time to get where they want to be."

Martin, who makes his second appearance of spring training in today's game against Milwaukee at Hi Corbett Field, gave up three runs in one inning against the Angels on Saturday in his spring debut.

"I don't let myself feel comfortable," Martin said. "When I talked with Clint, he said, 'You have a contract, but we will want you to be hungry.' I agree with that."

Affeldt has allowed four runs in two innings, although after giving up three runs before getting an out Monday, he regrouped to strike out the next two batters, then got the final out on a groundball to short.

"The key is if he can bring that back the next time, from the start," Hurdle said.

Affeldt agreed. He said he entered Monday's game throwing all fastballs and paid the price. When he got the three straight outs, he changed speeds and mixed in his curveball.

"I was tentative coming into the game, but after (getting hit), I got a little angry," Affeldt said. "That was motivation for me to go out and be more aggressive from the start. I don't want to go out and do that again."

Gallo said he is not paying attention to what happens with the other pitchers in camp, but he does hope the Rockies are paying attention to him.

"If I don't make the team out of camp, I want to leave a good impression so they know that if they need a left-hander, I'm ready to go," said Gallo, who made 160 appearances with the Astros during the past four seasons.

It's not the same for Hirsh, who worked three innings Tuesday, giving up one hit and facing the minimum nine batters when catcher Chris Iannetta threw out Junior Spivey trying to steal to end the fifth.

Hirsh has worked five scoreless innings in two appearances.

Everything he does is analyzed as the Rockies look at him and the other six candidates for the two open spots in the rotation; just like Buchholz, who rebounded from a struggle in his debut to work three shutout innings for a save in Sunday's win over Arizona.

"There is a certain amount (of nerves)," Hurdle said of what faces Hirsh and Buchholz. "You are in a new place with new teammates. You get one chance to make a first impression, and if it's not good, you get one chance for a second impression. You try and relax and do your job."

The Rockies' clubhouse atmosphere does help with the relaxation aspect.

Gallo said one reason he signed with the Rockies is "it is a young organization, and it's a good time to be here."

No argument from Hirsh, who said he has been surprised by how quickly he has felt at home.

"You worry when you go someplace new because people don't know you, but I tell my friends from home that I feel like I have been in this organization my whole career," he said.

"I don't feel like an outsider. Everyone was so quick to accept me. It made the transition easier."

Today's game

Rockies (Josh Fogg) vs. Brewers (Carlos Villanueva), 1:05 p.m., Hi Corbett Field (no television or radio).

ringolsbyt@RockyMountainNews.com Rockies 6, White Sox 3

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