Arenado's Team Purple pounces upon Story's Team Pinstripe in intrasquad battle

Tuesday marked the return of the night game at Coors Field, albeit one between two sides comprised entirely of Colorado Rockies’ players, as Nolan Arenado’s Team Purple defeated Trevor Story’s Team Pinstripe, 7-2.

Hand selected by team captains Arenado and Story, the two stars picked their squad of teammates and even set the lineup. Arenado sandwiched himself between Matt Kemp and cousin Josh Fuentes while Story batted second with lefties Daniel Murphy and Ryan McMahon following behind.

Jon Gray and Kyle Freeland faced off as the starting pitchers with three relievers backing up each during the six-inning affair.

Freeland walked Kemp and Arenado with two outs in the first before Fuentes laced a two-run triple that staked the Purple to a lead in which they would not look back.

Turning Point: Drew Butera

With his side ahead 3-1, the 36-year-old backstop launched a three-run home run against Yency Almonte to boost Arenado’s team in the third inning. Much like in the first inning when Freeland retired Garrett Hampson and Sam Hilliard, Kemp came to the plate with two outs. Three consecutive singles put runners on the corner to set the stage for Butera to put the game out of reach.

Defensive Moment: Eric Stamets

Five web gems decorated this abbreviated ballgame, including a great diving stop by Daniel Murphy at first base, excellent leather from second baseman Ryan McMahon, a typical Arenado backhand that could have made the career of any other third baseman in the game, and a game-ending double play started by shortstop Alan Trejo.

The play that takes the cake is the one made by Eric Stamets at the most crucial time for his club. Though it did not impact the outcome of the game, Stamets robbed Story of an infield single thanks to the shift. Had the ball reached its natural place on the grass in right field, another run would have scored and the inning would have been kept alive.

Player of the Game: Josh Fuentes

It seemed apt for Arenado to have selected Fuentes for his squad and even batting fifth in a lineup stacked at the top. Though Hampson and Hilliard were unproductive for much of the game at the plate, Kemp and Arenado kept the two-out rallies going all night with Fuentes coming through in his first two at-bats. Even after his two-run triple in the first and one-run single in the third, he just missed going deep against Jesus Tinoco to start the sixth.

Diamond Details

• Gray looked on point throughout his three innings and 43 total pitches. He threw a first pitch strike to six of the 11 hitters he faced and gave up just one run on two singles while striking out four.
• Freeland struggled from the start by loading the count to three consecutive hitters in the opening frame. The triple to Fuentes not only put a sour taste in his mouth, but ended up costing him 26 of his 49 pitches on the night. He’d give up four earned runs during his 2.2 innings pitched with three hits surrendered, two walks and three strikeouts.
• Jake McGee walked Hilliard to start the fifth before inducing Kemp into a 4-6-3 double play. Arenado grounded out to third to complete the scoreless frame.
• Stamets, Tony Wolters and Raimel Tapia also added doubles on a night delayed by rain showers during warmups.
• Charlie Blackmon worked out at the stadium, but was not featured in either lineup on just his second day back in Rockies’ camp.
• The Rockies will continue to play intrasquad games until leaving for a week in Texas to play the Rangers in two exhibition games on July 21-22 before starting the regular season on July 24 for a three game set.