Arenado homers playing 2nd straight day

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado prefers to test himself by beginning Spring Training with games on consecutive days. He passed it Sunday, with a first-inning home run to center field off Mariners left-hander Wade LeBlanc in the Rockies’ 4-2 loss at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

Arenado said rain in Arizona this week cost him some live batting practice (working against a pitcher throwing full speed, rather than a coach throwing to help the hitter), so he made up for it by playing in Saturday’s 7-3 victory over the D-backs and again Sunday.

”I want to see how my body reacts tomorrow,” Arenado said. “I feel like I get into the swing of things easier, going back to back. I get that soreness out a little bit quicker. That’s how I think. I trick my mind on that one.

”I feel great right now. Going into the day I felt fine -- a little mentally tired just from waking up early. But physically, I felt really good going into the game today.”

Arenado, who turns 28 on April 16, took advice from veteran Matt Holliday, who finished last season with the Rockies, and dropped 11 pounds to report at 215.

”I feel like I play better at that weight, a little quicker defensively -- those little things,” said Arenado, who based his offseason training on intense intervals and explosive moments.

Rockies manager Bud Black said, "I like Nolan any way he is, actually."

New-look Gray

Righty Jon Gray gave up one run on one hit, a walk and a hit batter (first-inning leadoff man Dee Strange-Gordon on a curveball that slipped) in two stress-free innings. In the big news of the day, Gray arrived without his hair bouncing off his neck and shoulders.

• Gray ready for fresh start in '19

”Out of impulse ... I don’t know why, I just went in and did it,” Gray said. “I might do something else with it. I didn’t really know what to do. The lady was like, ‘What do you want here?’ I looked like a mess. I looked like a caveman … like I own my own home now.”

Call it part of Gray’s new 2019 look. Gray believes he has found some keys to his slider (which he used three times Sunday), so in games he doesn’t have it he can make adjustments quicker. As part of that process, Gray wants to nip his tendency for negative body language, which he let surface on the mound -- especially when he was frustrated with his slider, which can be a good pitch for completing strikeouts.

”If I didn’t have it, you could see it on me,” he said. "That’s something I’m kicking to the curb.”

Seeking bouncebacks

Lefty Jake McGee and righty Bryan Shaw, both trying to find success after rough 2018 seasons, gave up runs Sunday. McGee was more solid.

”The ball-strike ratio wasn’t good, so we’ve got to get Bryan in the strike zone as the spring goes,” Black said.

• McGee, Shaw looking for bounceback

He was victimized by Dylan Moore’s double on the ground over the bag at first base. Moore scored on a wild pitch. Shaw, scheduled to go an inning, gave up two runs on three hits and two walks, with one strikeout while recording two outs.

”Jake threw the ball really well; his velocity looked really good, the ball was coming out great,” Black said. “He threw a bad breaking ball to score the run, but stuff-wise, encouraging.”

Impressions

Righties Peter Lambert, who will be 22 this season, and Ryan Castellani, who will pitch at 23, each had scoreless, two-inning outings.

Lambert escaped his first inning with a 3-6-1 double play and, Black said, “his mix of pitches showed up today -- good changeup, good curveball, fastball looked like it had life to it.”

Black said Castellani “threw a lot of strikes, and his breaking pitch was outstanding, as well.”

Outfielder Raimel Tapia, out of options, made a diving catch in right field as he tries to show his wares at all three positions.

Up next

Righty Antonio Senzatela, who has had some impressive outings as a starter and reliever the past two years and aims for a rotation spot, will start against the Royals and righty Scott Barlow on Monday at Surprise, Ariz. Lefties Harrison Musgrave and Sam Howard, who saw time in the Majors last season, and several prospects -- righties Jesus Tinoco and Matt Pierpont, and lefty Ben Bowden -- also will pitch.