Trio homers to pick up Rox after Gray exits

March 22nd, 2016

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Charlie Blackmon hit a leadoff home run and Nolan Arenado and Gerardo Parra added back-to-back homers in the third inning as the Rockies beat the Brewers, 6-5, on a windy Tuesday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
The Rockies did suffer a loss, however, when right-handed starter Jon Gray exited the game in the top of the first inning after an errant throw toward second base on a comebacker. He was replaced by Christian Bergman, who walked the first two batters he faced and surrendered two Brewers runs.
Gray exits with injury
The Rockies powered their way back into the lead by the third inning. All three home runs came at the expense of Brewers starter Taylor Jungmann.
"I hope he takes that monster into the season," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said of Arenado. "It's tough to predict. His confidence is sky high. I hope that [confidence] carries over."
Jungmann entered the afternoon with a 1.08 ERA in Cactus League play and had allowed one home run over his first three starts.
"I think the wind had a little bit to do with it and I think me being up in the zone had a little bit to do with it," Jungmann said. "If I keep the ball down, they shouldn't be hitting fly balls anyway."
There was a touch of drama in Jungmann's outing after he hit former Brewer Mark Reynolds with a pitch, immediately following the back-to-back homers. An inning later, Bergman buzzed Jungmann with a series of pitches and both benches received warnings.
"I hit Arenado when we were in Maryvale last time we played them," Jungmann said. "It was Reynolds today. It is what it is. If it makes them feel better to throw at me and get a little something back, that's fine. You can say I deserve it. Whatever. It's Spring Training. I'm not trying to hit anybody on purpose. You just take it for what it is.
"Honestly, I kind of was expecting it a little bit. That's why I didn't flinch on the first one. Like I said, it's not a big deal to me. I'm not mad about it or anything like that. It's all good." 
Nick Hundley extended Colorado's lead to 6-2 in the fifth inning with a two-run single off Brewers reliever Tim Dillard. Jungmann was charged with both runs and saw his ERA rise to 4.97.
Brewers outfield candidate Alex Presley brought Milwaukee back to within 6-5 with a three-run home run in the seventh inning off Rockies right-hander Scott Oberg. It was Presley's third Cactus League homer.
Up next for Brewers: The Brewers are off Wednesday before returning to action at Maryvale Baseball Park on Thursday at 3:05 p.m. CT against the Royals behind Opening Day starter Wily Peralta. It's been a tough spring so far for the right-hander, who has surrendered 23 hits including three home runs in 10 Cactus League innings. The game will be available on MLB.TV and broadcast on the Brewers Radio Network.
Up next for Rockies: Colorado is also off Wednesday before hosting the Mariners on Thursday afternoon at 2:10 p.m. MT at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Right-hander Tyler Chatwood gets the start in a game to be televised on MLB.TV and broadcast on the radio by Denver Sports 760 AM.