Nolan Arenado (28) is congratulated after hitting his second home run of the game during the fifth inning Tuesday. (Jae C. Hong, The Associated Press)
ROCKIES 6, DIAMONDBACKS 1
At Salt River Fields
Scottsdale, Ariz. — Nolan Arenado continued a torrid tear through spring training Tuesday, torching two home runs in a blowout victory over Arizona.
Arenado singled in the first on a line drive back at left-hander Anthony Banda, then went deep in his next two at-bats, both solo shots to center field, against Banda and Brad Ziegler.
“I expect to compete in every at-bat,” Arenado said. “I’m trying to hit the ball hard.”
He is hitting .580 this spring, with five home runs. His OPS is 1.673.
“Obviously the stats don’t count. But for my mental, it makes me feel good knowing I’m right where I need to be,” Arenado said. “I’m going into the year very confident.”
Arenado got a day off Monday, as manager Walt Weiss pulled back the reins in the final week of the Cactus League. And Arenado likely won’t play Saturday in a spring finale against Seattle.
“Hopefully it carries over into the season,” Weiss said of Arenado’s roll.
HITS
Tony Wolters, who won the backup catching job for opening day, hit a sixth double in limited at-bats. His total trails only Arenado’s eight doubles.
**Mark Reynolds went 2-for-4 starting at first base. His Tuesday backup, Ben Paulsen, who will likely start opening day, hit a triple.
**Lefty Chris Rusin threw a spring-high 47 pitches as he works back from a finger injury. He allowed one run on five hits in three innings. He also executed a successful squeeze bunt.
**Antonio Senzatela, headed for Double-A to start the year, threw five shutout innings, with five hits.
MISSES
The Rockies were 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position.
WHAT’S NEXT
Colorado will split its squad Wednesday, playing the Cubs at Mesa, Ariz. (2 p.m. MDT, no TV/radio) and at home vs. the Brewers (2 p.m. MDT, 760-AM radio, no TV). Jorge De La Rosa will start for the Rockies against the Cubs. David Hale pitches for Colorado against Milwaukee.
