Rockies right-hander Tyler Chatwood is having a strong spring as he returns from Tommy John surgery.(Hyoung Chang, Denver Post file)
ROCKIES 5, PADRES 5 (9 innings)
At Peoria Sports Complex
Peoria, Ariz. — Right-hander Tyler Chatwood continued his comeback from Tommy John surgery in strong fashion Saturday afternoon.
He had a first-inning hiccup, walking a batter to set up a two-run homer by Padres shortstop Jemile Weeks. But Chatwood settled down after that, allowing only three hits and striking out two over four innings.
Chatwood’s outing was his longest appearance since he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2014.
“I felt good,” Chatwood said. “The biggest thing was I got better as I went along. The second time through the lineup, I felt sharper, so that’s a big thing for me going forward, building the confidence up.”
He is especially happy with how his right arm feels.
“This is my first time to four innings since I got hurt, so this was an exciting day to be able to get out and go four innings,” he said. “Next time I’ll go five and 75 (pitches). So I’m real excited to get back out there and go through some lineups and build some endurance up.
“I feel good. I’ve still got some stuff I need to tighten up. I’ve got to be able to make adjustments quicker. But overall I feel really good. My arm feels good, which is a big thing. That’ll come as I get more experience.”
HITS
** Brandon Barnes broke out of a spring funk, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs.
** Outfielder Gerardo Parra and first baseman Ben Paulsen had two hit apiece.
MISSES
** Left-handed Reliever Boone Logan, getting a late start to Cactus League games because of a sore elbow, gave up one run on one hit and threw two wild pitches in two-thirds of an inning.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Rockies host the San Francisco Giants on Sunday at Salt River Fields, 2:10 p.m. MDT (No TV, KOA 850 AM)
Rockies pitchers — LHP Jorge De La Rosa, LHP Yohan Flande
Giants’ starter — RHP Clayton Blackburn
