SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Troy Tulowitzki and Justin Morneau hit home runs on consecutive pitches in the first inning, lifting the Colorado Rockies to a 6-2 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.
Tulowitzki’s liner off Royals rookie Aaron Brooks curled inside the left field foul pole. The two-run shot was the second of the spring for Tulowitzki, who also made a diving play at shortstop as he shows no ill-effects from season-ending hip surgery.
Morneau, the 2014 NL batting champ, sent Brooks’ next pitch halfway up the grassy seating area in left center.
“Today was a nice little show in the first. That’s a good feeling for a pitcher,” Rockies starter Kyle Kendrick said. “The offense is going to score some runs.”
Corey Dickerson went 3-for-3 and Nolan Arenado knocked in a run as the top four hitters in the Colorado order combined to go 6-for-11.
Christian Colon had a two-run single off Kendrick.
Rockies No. 1 starter Jorge De La Rosa made a pain-free spring debut in a morning “B” game, giving up a double and striking out two in two scoreless innings. He had been out with a sore groin.
Kendrick, signed away from Philadelphia to fill a rotation spot, gave up two runs and five hits in three innings in his third start.
“I had to battle my command a little bit,” he said. “I wasn’t as sharp as last time.”
Jhoulys Chacin, coming back from shoulder trouble a year ago, followed. He worked out of a sixth-inning jam to finish with three scoreless innings, allowing four hits.
Executives, scouts and media crowded around a back field for a rare “B” game loaded with name players.
The added game allowed Colorado’s pitching staff to get its work in ahead of Monday’s off day.
