PHOENIX -- First baseman Ian Desmond fell behind early in Spring Training, because he devoted it to changing his hands in his batting stance and didn't focus on his numbers. He received a measure of payoff with a two-run, opposite-field homer to right field off D-backs lefty Robbie Ray in the second inning in Friday night's 9-8 loss.
After Nick Ahmed's three-run homer keyed a five-run first inning for the D-backs against Rockies starter Tyler Anderson, Desmond followed Carlos Gonzalez's walk with a homer on an 0-1 pitch, into the visiting bullpen.
Last year was the first of a five-year, $70 million contract for Desmond, and he took three trips to the disabled list (broken left hand, two right calf strains) and finished .274 with seven homers and 40 RBIs in a career-low 95 games.
He reported to Spring Training this year having lowered his hands, and spent the time working through the adjustment. When the adjustment takes, Desmond hopes he'll reach balls quicker and pull them, which helps at Coors Field. But hitting hard the opposite way has its rewards, as he demonstrated Friday.
He finished Cactus League play with a .200 batting average after a 1-for-22 start.