SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Manager Bud Black’s Cactus League debut as Rockies manager got off to a rocky start Saturday when Tyler Anderson gave up three first-inning runs. But solid pitching thereafter, coupled with productive offense, paced Colorado’s 8-4 victory over Arizona.
For starters: Anderson, who appears to be a lock for the starting rotation, gave up three runs on five hits in 1 ⅓ innings. He was hurt early by bloop hits to right, but there was nothing cheap about Jake Lamb’s two-run homer to left, nor Brandon Drury’s triple to center. Anderson threw 37 pitches, 27 for strikes.
“I didn’t do a very good job of commanding my pitches and controlling my excitement,” Anderson said. “I got a little bit ahead of my body. Lamb hit a cutter right down the middle that I wanted to cut and it didn’t cut.”
Black agreed with Anderson’s assessment: “I just think he was amped up. I think that was good self-evaluation by Tyler.”
Hits: Ian Desmond impressed in his Rockies debut, going 3-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base. He also looked comfortable playing his first game at first base. … Shortstop Trevor Story, who hit 27 homers in 97 games last season, led off the fourth with a first-pitch, solo homer off Archie Bradley. … Six Colorado pitchers, led by right-hander Antonio Senzatela’s two scoreless innings, held the Diamondbacks scoreless from innings two through eight. … Gerardo Parra, who started in left field in front of rookie David Dahl, hauled in a rising line drive by Arizona slugger Paul Goldschmidt in the second inning, saving two runs.
Misses: Backup first baseman Mark Reynolds, in camp on a minor-league deal, went 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and left four baserunners stranded.
Up next: The Rockies have an early spring split-squad doubleheader, hosting Arizona at Salt River Fields and also traveling to Glendale to meet the Chicago White Sox.
Pitching probables vs. Arizona, 1:10 p.m., at Salt River Fields
Rockies: RHP Yency Almonte, RHP Yency Almonte, RHP Zach Jemiola, RHP Jason Motte, LHP Mike Dunn, RHP Chad Qualls
Diamondbacks: RHP Kevin Jepsen, RHP Tom Wilhelmsen, RHP Randall Delgado, RHP Enrique Burgos, RHP Evan Marshall, LHP Jared Miller, RHP Jimmie Sherfy
Pitching probables at Chicago White Sox, 1:05 p.m., at Camelback Ranch
Rockies: RHP German Marquez, LHP Harrison Musgrave, RHP Carlos Estévez, RHP Matt Carasiti, RHP Shane Carle, RHP Rayan González, RHP C.C. Lee
White Sox: LHP Jose Quintana, RHP Miguel Gonzalez, RHP Dylan Covey, LHP Cory Luebke, RHP Zack Burdi, RHP Nate Jones
