DIAMONDBACKS REPORT
Diamondbacks 4, Rockies 2 At Salt
River Fields (Friday) At the plate: LF Kyle Lewis had another huge day at the plate, connecting for a pair of run-scoring doubles and drawing a walk. “It’s good to see him on time, staying behind the ball, seeing pitches,” manager Torey Lovullo said. “It’s just a very impressive approach right now.” Both of his doubles went to left-center field. He is 8 for 16 (.500) with three doubles, two homers and two walks in Cactus League play. SS Geraldo Perdomo had a pair of singles and 2B Diego Castillo homered; both were playing in their first game since Wednesday night, when they exited the game after colliding in the first inning trying to field a ground ball.
On the mound: RHP Ryne Nelson gave up just one run in 4 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out six. It was easily his most impressive outing of the spring and was perhaps an important performance for a pitcher vying for a rotation spot. “Some adjustments and stuff that I’ve been working off have paid off,” Nelson said. “I’m seeing some results. Being able to land off-speed pitches in leverage counts is a good way to help you get some outs when you’re behind in the count and get some ground balls.” Lovullo spoke highly of Nelson’s fastball command and the shape of his breaking balls. “I thought he threw the ball as good as we’ve seen him this spring,” Lovullo said.
Extra bases: On a strange sequence in the fifth inning, Perdomo had a home run taken away from him due to a pitch clock violation by Rockies RHP Jose Urena. Just as home plate umpire Jordan Baker was making the call, Urena delivered the pitch anyway and Perdomo sent it onto the berm in right-center field. “They got it right,” Lovullo said. “We have to live and die with it. It was obviously frustrating, but he gathered himself and got a big base hit. Things like that are going to pop up all year long. … I just want it to be (called) consistently.” For Lewis, the game was his first in the outfield after having served exclusively as the DH in previous games. He came out of it fine, Lovullo said, adding that he likely will DH on Sunday before playing the field again on Tuesday.