Rockies Recap
Rockies 7, Diamondback 3
At Salt River Fields
On the mound: Right-hander Chad Bettis, competing for the fifth-starter job, opened the game and gave up a three-run home run in the first inning to Steven Souza Jr. on a poorly thrown slider. It’s a pitch Bettis is hoping to turn into an effective weapon this spring. Bettis gave up three hits in two innings. … Rotation candidate Jeff Hoffman threw two scoreless innings, allowing an infield hit and striking out one. Hoffman, his shoulder healthy and strong, reached 97 mph with his four-seam fastball and also snapped off some effective curves.
At the plate: Left fielder David Dahl raked two doubles, one an opposite-field shot down the third-base line in the first, the other a line drive to right-center. … Second base candidate Ryan McMahon started and delivered a two-run single to center in the fourth. … Colorado got two-run home runs from Sam Hillard in the eighth and Colten Welker in the ninth.
Worth noting: Shortstop Trevor Story was hit by a pitch in the right elbow in the fourth and immediately left the game. He suffered a contusion but should be fine. … Right-handed reliever Justin Lawrence impressed in the ninth, striking out two and throw a 98 mph fastball with his side-arm delivery.
Up next: Mariners (1-1) at Rockies (1-0), 1:10 p.m., Salt River Fields
Mariners pitchers: LHP Wade LeBlanc, LHP Justus Sheffield, LHP Tommy Milone, RHP Erik Swanson, LHP Matt Tenuta, RHP Robin Leyer.
Rockies pitchers: RHP Jon Gray, RHP Peter Lambert, RHP Ryan Castellani, RHP Bryan Shaw, LHP Jake McGee, RHP Carlos Estevez.
— Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
