Rodgers gets two hits in spring debut, bullpen implosion wastes four homer day for Rox

A two-game sweep in one day but two different locations was on the table for most of the afternoon but a rough outing from the bullpen in Glendale for the Colorado Rockies against the Chicago White Sox sank that possibility.

But the big story from a long term perspective was the return of Brendan Rodgers who was chomping at the bit to get back to live game action after eight months away from the game he loves.

He went 2-for-3 with a pair of singles in a DH role and looked confident and comfortable in all three at-bats.

Turning Point – Bullpen Implodes

After a power surge gave Colorado a four-run lead in the top of the fifth, Wes Parsons, who is being considered as a possible starter this season, gave it all back. He gave up a couple of singles and hit a guy before surrendering a deep fly to Nomar Mazara. He was able to escape that inning but Joe Harvey gave up a trio of singles in the next frame for the run that swung the lead over to the Sox.

Stat of the Game – 4 HR

The Rockies hit four dingers against the Sox. Three solo shots came from Ian Desmond, Drew Butera, and David Dahl. Sam Hilliard, whose blast has not yet landed, had a runner aboard to make his a two-run variety. When you add in Nolan Arenado and Tony Wolters from the game in Scottsdale against the Royals, the Rockies hit a total of six home runs on the day.

Diamond Details

• David Dahl hit his second home run of the Spring in the third inning against late-inning reliever Alex Colome.
• Sam Hilliard also got Colome for an absolute monster shot, also his second of the Spring
• Peter Lambert gave up a two runs on four hits in two innings. He walked a pair and struck out one in his most laborious start of the spring.
• Phillip Diehl remains in the zone. He pitched another perfect inning with a pair of punchouts. He has yet to allow a run in 4.1 innings this Spring and has only allowed one baserunner on a single. He maybe missed his spot one time in the inning, falling behind Edwin Encarnacion 3-0 before coming back to strike him out. He leads the ballclub with nine strikeouts so far this Spring.
• Tommy Doyle’s solid spring continued with a clean inning in the ninth. He is sporting a 2.25 ERA in four innings.

Final Thought

It sure was nice to see Brendan Rodgers on the diamond again. He’s locked in. Also, everyone digs the longball and this game sure did feature some pretty ones. Parsons and Harvey remain on the outside of the MLB picture looking in trying to prove themselves for the rest of Spring. Diehl may just mess around and make the Opening Day roster.

Up Next

Colorado takes on the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday at the home of both teams, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. First pitch at 1:10.