Hinske, Eaton each tally three hits in win over Rox
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Adam Eaton and Eric Hinske each had three hits, and Martin Prado drove in three runs with his two hits as the D-backs beat the Rockies, 8-6, in a Cactus League game at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Sunday afternoon.
A day after the D-backs gave up 18 hits in the Rockies' 11-2 victory in the Cactus League opener, the D-backs knocked out 14 hits of their own. Eric Chavez also had two hits and scored twice.
The D-backs also had an important pitching highlight. Starter Patrick Corbin, competing with Tyler Skaggs and Randall Delgado for a rotation spot, struck out four -- coming consecutively in the first and second innings -- and gave up one hit and a walk in two scoreless innings. Corbin finished his outing by working Kyle Parker, a recent Rockies top Draft pick, into a double-play grounder.
Rockies starter Jeff Francis also had two smooth innings, as he allowed just two hits and no runs. But Juan Nicasio, expected to be part of the starting rotation, gave up four runs, two earned, on four hits in 1 2/3 innings. Additionally, veteran Miguel Batista, vying for a middle relief job as a non-roster invitee, gave up four hits and three runs in his only inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Rockies jumped on the scoreboard when outfield prospect Corey Dickerson hit a first-pitch, two-run homer off of D-backs reliever Garrett Mock. They would put another four runs on the board during an eighth-inning rally that was highlighted by a two-run single by Parker, but Cristhian Adames grounded into a double play with the potential tying runs on base to end the rally. Overall, the Rockies hit into five double plays.
D-backs up next: The D-backs will get their first look at Randall Delgado on Monday, as they travel to Surprise to take on the Royals. The right-hander, who is competing with Patrick Corbin and Tyler Skaggs for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, was acquired from Atlanta in the Justin Upton trade. Highly-touted prospect Chase Anderson is also scheduled to pitch for Arizona.