Bryant, Diaz hit first homers of spring

Dodgers 9, Rockies 4

Monday at Salt River Fields On the mound: Colorado’s pitching staff struck out 11 and now leads the Cactus League with 52 team strikeouts in spring training so far. … Right-hander John Curtiss, who spent 2023 with Triple-a Albuquerque, struck out Mookie Betts and Austin Barnes in the first inning. He allowed one run and two walks in 0.2 innings of work. … Nonroster invitee Jeff Criswell, a second-round draft pick by Oakland in 2020, gave up three runs and a walk in 1.1 innings. … Right-hander Thomas Ponticelli, who’s likely to start the season with Triple-a Albuquerque, struggled through 0.2 innings in the eighth. He allowed five earned runs as the Dodgers took control of the game for good. … A quintet of Rockies — RHP prospect Jaden Hill, LHP Jalen Beeks, RHP Matt Carasiti, RHP Tyler Kinley and LHP Evan Justice — all worked scoreless frames out of the bullpen. Lefty Josh Rogers added another 1.1 scoreless innings.

At the plate: First baseman Kris Bryant and designated hitter Elias Diaz each recorded their first home runs of the spring. Bryant’s came in the third off Nabil Crismatt, and Diaz followed up in the fourth against Gus

Varland. … As a team, the Rockies lead the Cactus League with seven homers. … Shortstop Brendan Rodgers and catching prospect Drew Romo contributed Colorado’s other two runs. Up next: Rockies at Royals, 1:05p.m. Tuesday

Rockies probable pitchers: RHP Karl Kauffmann, RHP Chance Adams, RHP Riley Pint, RHP Anthony Molina, RHP Matt Koch, RHP Justin Lawrence