Rockies 4, Diamondbacks 2
At Salt River Fields
“You don’t see it often, but that was a two-pitcher Cactus League game,” Bud Black said Monday afternoon.
Black was smiling, because he got five strong innings from right-hander Chad Bettis, followed by four impressive frames from right-hander Antonio Senzatela.
Bettis allowed two runs on six hits, struck out four and walked none.
“There were a couple of pitches that I thought got away from me, but for the most part, my command was good,” Bettis said. “This was a game I tried to approach like a (regular-season) game as much as I possibly could. So it was good.”
Added Black: “What I liked was the pace at which he threw, and his fastball command, and the change command. I thought all of the pitches were crisp and he moved the ball around. In my eyes, that’s how Chad Bettis looks.”
On the mound: Senzatela, battling to earn a spot at the back of the rotation, dominated the D-backs, allowing one hit, striking out two and walking none.
“I liked the good use of the fastball,” Black said. “The glove-side fastball was really good today. Some good breaking balls, as well.”
At the plate: Ryan McMahon, starting at third base, wailed on a fat pitch, sending it into the right-field corner for a two-run double in the fourth inning. He’s hitting .356 after a 1-for-4 day. … Ian Desmond, starting at first base, hammered a double to right-center field in the first, but struck out with the bases loaded in the fourth. His spring average sits at .080.
Worth noting: Outfielder Michael Tauchman, who’s having an impressive spring, stole his third base of the Cactus League.
Up next: Mariners at Rockies, 2:10 p.m. (MDT). Mariners RHP Rob Whalen vs. Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland.
