SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Nolan Arenado hit a pair of home runs to lead the Rockies past the D-backs, 6-1, on Tuesday afternoon at Salt River Fields.
The home runs, both solo shots, highlighted a 3-for-3 day for Arenado and gave him five homers for the spring.
"Obviously, I know it doesn't count, but from a mental standpoint, it feels good knowing I'm where I need to be," Arenado said. "I'm going into the year very confident. The worst thing is to go into the year having a little bit of doubt, but I feel good. I like where I'm at. Hopefully, I can keep this form going into the season."
Chris Rusin made his first spring start and second appearance as the Rockies try to build up his pitch count. The left-hander threw 47 pitches, 32 for strikes, while allowing just one run over three innings.
D-backs Minor Leaguer Anthony Banda started for the D-backs while ace Zack Greinke pitched in an intrasquad Minor League game. With Greinke set to face the Rockies on Monday in the regular-season opener, the D-backs did not want them to get another look at Greinke this spring.
Joey Krehbiel, Evan Marshall and R.J. Hively put up scoreless innings in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, respectively, for the D-backs.
Charlie Blackmon also homered for the Rockies, his fourth of the spring. Tony Wolters, who was just named Colorado's backup catcher, added a hit to bring his spring tally to 12.
Brandon Drury drove in the D-backs' lone run, a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first that brought in Nick Ahmed. Ahmed was 2-for-4 on the day with a pair of singles.
Up next for the Rockies: Lefty Jorge De La Rosa will make his final tuneup for Opening Day against the Brewers at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick on Wednesday at 2:10 p.m. MT. Also, righty David Hale will start a split-squad game against the Cubs at Mesa, Ariz., at 2:05 p.m.
Up next for the D-backs:Shelby Miller will start for the D-backs Wednesday afternoon as they travel to Mesa to take on the A's. This will be the final start of the spring for Miller, who will start the second game of the regular season Tuesday against the Rockies at Chase Field.