SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — When Nolan Arenado pressed his way through six consecutive strikeouts in the World Baseball Classic last month, some concern surfaced that the Rockies’ all-star third baseman might trip into the season. Three weeks later, he erased most doubt.
Arenado homered in his final Cactus League at-bat Saturday, hooking a line-drive shot off Seattle left-hander Ariel Miranda in a 1-1 tie between the Rockies and Mariners at Salt River Fields.
“From our end, the guys is an all-star player,” Colorado manager Bud Black said. “Every player is at a different point in spring training, but I do like that he hit a home run in his last at-bat.”
Arenado, who left the team for two weeks for the WBC, finished his spring with three home runs and a .231 average.
SPRING ENDS: In a home-and-home against the Mariners between Peoria and Scottsdale on Friday and Saturday, the Rockies tied twice in nine-inning games — but finished the Cactus League with a winning record at 16-15-2.
FOR STARTERS: Right-hander Antonio Senzatela, 22, pitched two innings in a final tuneup before the Rockies flew to Milwaukee to start the season Monday. He allowed just one hit, a single up the middle to Kyle Seager, before erasing the inning with a double-play grounder to at shortstop.
HITS: Colorado catcher went 0-for-2, but among players with regular spring at-bats, Wolters ranked second on the team in OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage), one spot behind catcher . Wolters will be the Rockies’ primary catcher to begin the season, with Garneau backing him.
MISSES: Lefty Mike Dunn was used in matchup duty against Seattle in the third inning, a situation similar to what he will work in the season. He walked the one batter he faced. But Dunn gave up just on hit and did not allow a run over 10 innings in spring.
UP NEXT: The Rockies will work out in Milwaukee on Sunday before opening the season Monday against the Brewers. Right-hander starts for Colorado opposite Brewers right-hander Junior Guerra.
