Finally playing as the home team at Salt River Fields, the Colorado Rockies defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 7-4, on Tuesday afternoon.
The Rockies struck first when Chris Iannetta hit a two-run home run to center field to give the team a 2-0 lead. Ryan Spilborghs followed with a sacrifice fly in the third inning to put the Rockies up, 3-0. The Diamondbacks knocked Greg Smith around in the fourth inning for four runs, including a three-run homer by Russell Branyan. Gerardo Parra drove in the other run on a single.
The Rockies answered back in the bottom of the fourth when Ty Wigginton hit an RBI double. Wigginton eventually moved over to third and then scored on a passed ball by catcher Miguel Montero. In the fifth inning, Seth Smith scored on a throwing error by Wade Miley, who was attempting a pickoff. Hernan Iribarren scored the Rockies' final run following his single and advancement to second base to start off the sixth inning. He stole third and scored on a single by Jordan Pacheco.
Jason Hammel started the game for the Rockies and threw two scoreless innings. He allowed a hit and struck out one. Outside of Smith's run-filled fourth inning, the rest of the pitchers kept Arizona off the board. Andrew Johnston picked up his second win (though meaningless in the spring). Matt Lindstrom, Franklin Morales, Matt Daley, Bruce Billings and Claudio Vargas held the Snakes to zero runs and five hits over the last five innings of the game.
The Rockies leave the friendly confines of Talking Stick on Wednesday for an afternoon contest with the San Diego Padres. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. MT.