Rockies' Arenado hitting .606 after 10-4 loss to Giants
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - All-Star Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado had two more hits to boost his spring training-best average to .606 in Colorado's 10-4 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday.
Arenado doubled to left on the first pitch from Giants starter Clayton Blackburn in the second inning. He also knocked Blackburn's first pitch in the third into left-center for a single.
He is 20 for 33 with a least one hit in all 12 games he's played this spring and has multiple hits in seven straight games.
"I wish it was April," the 24-year-old Arenado said. "I'm good to go."
Charlie Blackmon added a solo homer off Blackburn, who allowed three runs, two earned, and six hits over four innings. Blackburn also doubled in a run.
Brandon Belt went 4 for 4, including a homer off Jason Motte and drove in four runs for the Giants after missing a week with an illness.
"I think he's got his strength back," manager Bruce Bochy said.
Buster Posey added an RBI double for San Francisco.
CUETO'S LONG DAY
To avoid facing a division opponent, Giants RHP Johnny Cueto pitched in a camp game - for a long time.
The efficient Cueto went six innings against Giants minor leaguers, allowing a run and six hits with four strikeouts. He also picked two runners off the bases while throwing 74 pitches.
It was Cueto's first appearance since he was hit in the forehead by a line drive six days ago. Cueto avoided a concussion.
STARTING TIME
Giants: Blackburn struck out three and threw 67 pitches. Bochy said he told the 23-year-old he'll be sent to minor league camp.
"He's going to go down and get ready for his season, but he did a lot of good work this spring," Bochy said.
Rockies: LHP Jorge De La Rosa labored through five innings, giving up four runs and eight hits in what he called a "bad game."
"My arm is getting stronger, but today my location wasn't there," De La Rosa said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Giants: OF Kyle Blanks (Achilles) sat out for a fourth straight day, and was later sent to the minors. ... C Andew Susac (wrist) took batting practice.
Rockies: RHP David Hale (hamstring) is scheduled to throw 30-35 pitches Monday in his first Cactus League appearance. He got five outs in a Thursday "B'' game. "I hadn't had anything in my career and the last year it's been three annoying things," Hale said, referring to oblique and groin injuries.
WORRY-FREE CARGO
When the Rockies traded Troy Tulowitzki last summer amid a poor season, speculation began about the future of Carlos Gonzalez.
The two-time All-Star is back for his eighth season in Denver. But could a sixth straight losing season lead to his departure, too?
"I don't wake up in the morning worried about what's going to happen to me," said Gonzalez, who went 0 for 3. "I have the opportunity to wear a big league uniform every day. I feel blessed with that.
"I will never complain with any team giving me a chance to play the game that I love. I try to do my best every day and whatever happens in the future, that's not part of my job."
GIANTS MOVES
The Giants sent six more players to the minors: LHPs Ty Blach, Ricky Romero and Steven Okert; RHP Vin Mazzaro; OF Ryan Lollis and INF Hak-Ju Lee.
UP NEXT
Giants: RHP Jeff Samardzija starts Monday against Oakland.
Rockies: RHP Chad Bettis starts Monday against Texas.