Blackmon, Arenado HRs lead Rox vs. D-backs
Rusin allows hit in 2 innings; Arizona's Shipley gives up 3 runs in 1 2/3
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Charlie Blackmon and Nolan Arenado hit solo homers as the Rockies defeated the D-backs, 6-1, on Sunday in Cactus League play.
Blackmon's leadoff homer, off D-backs starter Braden Shipley, was familiar -- he had 10 leadoff homers last season and has 22 in his career. Arenado homered in the third off Tyler Jones.
The D-backs' Jeremy Hazelbaker, competing for an outfield spot, doubled in a run off Rockies reliever Jason Motte in the top of the seventh.
Rockies starting lefty Chris Rusin, a versatile veteran who could fit in the rotation or the bullpen, faced six batters in his two innings. He gave up one hit, but erased that by forcing Dawel Lugo into a double-play grounder on an inside fastball, and was done in 23 pitches. He liked the results of a slider that he's trying to work into his mix.
"I've felt a lot better this spring than I have in the past," Rusin said. "My body, my delivery and my timing are a lot better than they usually are this spring."
Shipley, who saw Major League time last year and is a rotation candidate, gave up three runs -- including the Blackmon homer -- and three hits in 1 2/3 innings.
"Arm feels great, first of all, feels really healthy, which is always good in Spring Training," Shipley said. "Other than that, it was the first time out. I was really excited, had a lot of fun. A couple of things happened, but it's Spring Training; you learn from your mistakes and go back out there and work on them."
Rockies righty prospects Yency Almonte and Zach Jemiola each pitched two scoreless innings. Almonte struck out three and Jemiola fanned two.
D-backs Up Next:Patrick Corbin, who is competing for a spot in the rotation after struggling in 2016, will get the ball for the D-backs against the Reds on Monday afternoon at 1:10 p.m. MT at Salt River Fields. The game will also give fans a chance to get a look at lefty Anthony Banda, who is ranked as the organization's No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.
Rockies Up Next: Righty Jon Gray, who set a club rookie record with 185 strikeouts last season, will start against the Dodgers at Glendale on Monday at 1:05 p.m. MT. He will be followed by righty Jeff Hoffman, who is competing for an open starting rotation spot.
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