Game report: Rockies sweep split-squad D-backs
Gerald Laird, in the running for the backup catcher position, had the Diamondbacks' only RBI in their split-squad loss to Colorado at Salt River Fields on Sunday.
The D-backs are big believers in situational hitting, and Laird did just that in the fifth inning, hitting a sacrifice fly to right field with runners on second and third for his fourth RBI of the spring.
Aaron Hill and Yasmany Tomas, who made his first spring start at first base, opened the fifth with singles off Colorado No. 2 starter Jordan Lyles and advanced on a wild pitch before Laird came to the plate.
The Rockies swept the split-squad doubleheader with an 11-10, 10-inning victory in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, where chief baseball officer Tony La Russa and manager Chip Hale spent the day.
Third baseman Jake Lamb had three singles and an RBI in the game in Hermosillo, raising his batting average to .333 with six RBI. A.J. Pollock had his team-high seventh double and his team-high 12th RBI in Mexico, and Nick Ahmed had his sixth double.
The D-backs moved Ahmed's hands into a better hitting position this spring, and he is hitting .320 in 50 at-bats.
Pollock also stole his fourth base, tied with Ender Inciarte for the team high.
Daniel Hudson
Hudson's fifth outing of the spring was his longest, at 73 pitches. He was scheduled to throw 65 pitches, but he had 60 after three innings and said he wanted to go back out for the fourth, if only to get another up-and-down.
Hudson's fastball was clocked at 95 mph throughout the day and rose to 96 several times, a few ticks above his average velocity in 2011 when it was 93.2 mph, according to FanGraphs. He hit 95 in his three relief outings last season.
"I'm not sure how fast I was throwing the last year, but obviously the harder the better," Hudson said. "I'm not really focused on the velocity. If I can get guys out at 92, 93, whatever, I'll take that, too."
Rubby De La Rosa
De La Rosa, who is expected to be the No. 2 starter in the rotation following Josh Collmenrter, pitched only two innings in a glorified side session five days after his last start.
De La Rosa walked the first batter he faced before striking out the final two batters of his inning. He finished with three strikeouts. He gave up his first home run of the spring, a drive by Justin Morneau that landed in the foliage above the batter's eye in center field.
"I'm ready to go," De La Rosa said.
Gerald Laird was removed after two at-bats and six innings behind the plate. He took a foul ball off his left knee in the sixth, but that had nothing to do with his departure. "I'm fine," he said. "It's one of those things were, why did I pick this position?" ... Brad Ziegler made his third appearance of the spring, going two-thirds of an inning. He gave up a double before striking out a batter with one out and a runner on third base, and closer Addison Reed entered to strike out the final batter of the inning. Reed was making his second official spring appearance, not counting a "B" game last week. ... Yasmany Tomas had no fielding chances in his first start at first base, handling four throws. He is scheduled to start at third base Monday. ... Peter O'Brien was 0-for-4 with an RBI while playing first base in the split-squad game against the Rockies in Hermosillo. O'Brien played left field in a minor league game Friday on a back field at Salt River. ... Tuffy Gosewisch doubled in Hermosillo to raise his batting average to .297.
Patrick Corbin and David Hernandez are scheduled to make eight bullpen appearances before advancing to face hitters. They will throw again Tuesday.
Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
1:10 p.m., Salt River Fields
Probable pitchers: Diamondbacks -- RHP Yoan Lopez, RHP Randall Delgado, RHP Enrique Burgos, LHP Andrew Chafin. Dodgers -- LHP Brett Anderson