SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — There’s no bite in a bullpen session, no verve in an intrasquad game. And the cactus in Cactus League may rhyme with practice. But Tyler Chatwood wore a uniform on the mound Saturday.
It was a big deal for the Rockies right-hander. He pitched against another major league-level team for the first time since 2014, when he blew out his elbow and needed a second Tommy John surgery.
“There was more adrenaline warming up,” he said. “And when the national anthem turns on, it gets real.”
Chatwood threw two innings against the San Diego Padres at Salt River Fields to mixed results. He struck out two and walked two, and he allowed one run on one hit. He wasn’t shy in the first inning, going 1-2-3 on 13 pitches, including a two-seam fastball that struck out Cory Spangenberg.
“Just establish the fastball and make sure my command is there,” Chatwood said of his plan.
Chatwood last pitched in the majors 34 months ago, at Arizona against the Diamondbacks. The injury layoff since then lasted too long for his liking, but he won’t object.
“I was expecting to be back in 12 months. But I don’t think that was in the plans very much, because it was a redo,” Chatwood said of his surgery. “We took it pretty cautiously. Looking back at it, I’m pretty glad with how I was taken care of.”
Flande grooving. Left-hander Yohan Flande turned in the best pitching performance of the young spring schedule Saturday, tossing two perfect innings against San Diego.
Flande is on a minor-league deal with the Rockies, and his odds of making the opening-day roster are long. But he’s making a decision more difficult after the Rockies designated him for assignment after last season.
“I got taken off the roster, but I didn’t let it bother me. I knew I wanted to be here,” said Flande, 30, who has two seasons in the majors. “I’m thankful to the organization that’s given me an opportunity. Hopefully I can help them win a championship.”
Flande struck out four of the six batters he faced, using a three-pitch mix of sinkers, sliders and curveballs. The Rockies used him last season in long relief, and he saved them with emergency starts in 2014.
His profile is simple. But he is always available when the Rockies need it — even if they need him in Triple-A or lower.
“It’s important to throw strikes and get groundballs,” he said. “I hope the whole organization, top to bottom, has a great year.”
Diaz, Parra injured. Right-handed pitcher Jairo Diaz suffered through elbow discomfort in his relief appearance Saturday, allowing three runs on three hits with three walks in just two-thirds of an inning. He will be re-evaluated Sunday, the team said. … Left fielder Gerardo Parra slipped on the warning track chasing a line drive and bruised his foot and was removed from the game. He probably won’t miss any time.
Rockies 9, padres 5
At Salt River Fields in Scottsdale, Ariz.
HITS
Michael Tauchman’s two-run triple in the eighth broke open a 5-5 game as the Rockies came from behind to win. He also scored twice, as the Rockies put up six runs in the eighth.
Will Swanner doubled in the at-bat after Tauchman to plate another run as the game broke open.
MISSES
Nolan Arenado’s single in the second was the Rockies’ only hit against Padres opening-day starter Tyson Ross. The 6-foot-7, 247-pound Ross bowled over Colorado’s mostly top lineup.
Trevor Story started again at shortstop, but his underhand flip to Daniel Descalso at second on a double-play attempt was low, and Descalso got plowed into by the runner.
Jason Motte threw a hitless sixth and struck out one, but he missed high on a pitch that tagged Padres backup catcher Christian Bethancourt in the arm. He had to leave the game. Motte appeared mad at himself about it.
UP NEXT
The Rockies (2-2) travel to face the Cincinnati Reds (3-1) at Goodyear Ballpark at 1 p.m. Sunday (850 AM radio; no TV).
