On Saturday, the Colorado Rockies officially began their spring training season with a 7-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Here are all the things you need to know:
Chad Bettis started the game and gave up a three-run homer to Steven Souza Jr. on a hanging slider. It’s worth noting that his slider his is fourth pitch in terms of usage and something he is experimenting with right now.
He spoke after the game about the blister issues that plagued him last season, saying, “It’s been good. I hadn’t had a problem all offseason and into Spring Training here. It’s been good. Been happy with where I’m at with it. Hopefully, fingers crossed, everything is good.”
David Dahl recorded the first two hits of the spring season for Colorado, both doubles.
The second double set the stage for a Ryan McMahon single up the middle to drive in a pair of runs, the first two RBI of spring for the Rockies and a good start for the man who hopes to win the second base job.
Colorado went on top for good in the seventh on a two-run homer, a towering shot from outfielder Sam Hilliard who continues to impress in his time against stiffer competition, building on his successful spring training from a year ago.
And, in his first at-bat on a big-league field, Colton Welker added some insurance with a two-run ninth-inning blast to bring the score to 7-3.
Neither Hilliard nor Welker are expected to make the team but both are considered extremely valuable depth and could begin to cement their future on the roster with continued strong showings.
On the mound, Jeff Hoffman looked sharp in two clean innings of work, throwing the fastball between 94-97 mph.
After the game, Hoffman said, “It felt good coming out today. I feel like right now I could push it just about as hard as I want and everything will be good. I’m glad to be here.”
Yency Almonte was hit hard a couple of times but each right at fielders.
And Justin Lawrence made an eye-popping debut, side-arm slinging fastballs and cutters in the upper 90’s, inducing some ugly swings on a pair of strikeouts in a clean final frame.
Trevor Story was removed from the game in the fourth after being his by the pitch and later confirmed an elbow contusion that he does not expect to keep him out for any significant time.
Jon Gray, Peter Lambert, and Ryan Castellani are scheduled to pitch on Sunday.
