TUCSON, Ariz. -- Rockies right-handed pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez has taken to heart the team's project of controlling opposing baserunners. His performance on Tuesday showed that he's still learning.

The Royals stole three times in the third inning, but Jimenez's bigger problem was the location of his pitches while dealing with the running game. Rushed mechanics led to pitches missing their locations. Jimenez gave up three hits, including a double, and walked two in three innings of the Rockies' 11-5 loss.

Already named the Rockies' No. 3 starter, Jimenez, 24, is preparing for what he hopes is his first full season in the Majors. He's already mastered the art of treating Spring Training games as practice.

He entered Monday wanting to keep his pitches low in the strike zone and felt he did, for the most part, even if some missed the strike zone. As for speeding up his mechanics with runners on base, well ... this is practice. Jimenez worked on it during his bullpen session leading up to the start, and the game continued that.

"I was trying to be too fast to home plate, just to give time to the catcher to throw the guy out," Jimenez said. "That's what I was doing today. It was much faster than I was before, but it got me out of rhythm. I need to learn to stay back. You'll get better practicing every day."

Manager Clint Hurdle said, "That's part of his development this spring, finding a rhythm and tempo that's comfortable for him to execute pitches and still be somewhat cognizant of supporting the catcher and controlling the runner."

Needing work: Rockies right-handed setup man Luis Vazcaino gave up three runs, two on an Alberto Callaspo home run, to bring his Cactus League ERA to 27.00. Vizcaino had a strong outing on Sunday against the Mexican National Team, which doesn't count officially.

Hurdle didn't have much issue with Vizcaino's search for consistency in the spring, noting that he had 77 appearances for the Yankees last season.

"He just needs to keep pitching," Hurdle said. "He needs to create some angle to his pitches and get some depth like he had his outing. He was not quite there today with it. It's a precision game. It doesn't happen overnight. Guys have different routines over the winter.

"He's a guy that I'm sure is not in a position where he needs to do a lot of throwing over the winter. He's in great shape. He just needs to pitch."

Also, after the game, Hurdle stopped to give words of encouragement to 2007 No. 1 Draft pick Casey Weathers, who gave up three runs on two hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.

Impressions: Second base candidate Jeff Baker, who played first base and second base, and catcher Chris Iannetta continued their strong offensive work of the early spring.

Baker, in his first start since suffering a bruised left elbow on Thursday, knocked a solo shot off Brett Tomko in the fourth inning and doubled while going 2-for-5 with two runs scored. He is hitting .364. Iannetta doubled twice to bring his spring total to four two-baggers.

Up next: Rockies fifth starter candidate Franklin Morales, a left-hander, will start on Wednesday against the White Sox at Hi Corbett Field. Fourth starter candidate Jason Hirsh, a righty, will follow Morales.