SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Nolan Arenado hit a three-run home run and double to help the Colorado Rockies to a 7-5 victory over the Chicago Cubs on Saturday.
The 23-year-old third baseman has two Gold Gloves in as many major league seasons. The Rockies hope Arenado becomes a force at the plate after a strong finish last season.
“He’s going to be an impact offensive player in this league,” Colorado manager Walt Weiss said. “Nothing he does surprises me.”
Batting third with stars Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez recovering from surgeries, Arenado lined a fastball off Cubs starter Jason Hammel that just cleared the left-field fence in the first inning for his first homer of the spring.
Arenado sent Felix Doubrant’s changeup off the left-field wall on a hop in the third.
“It always feels good to hit the ball hard and drive the ball,” Arenado said. “But there’s still a lot of work to be done. I’m not feeling totally comfortable up there, but it was nice to see the ball well.”
Cubs prospect Kris Bryant hit a two-run homer off Rockies starter Brett Marshall in the second. Bryant, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2013 draft, finished 1 for 3 with a strikeout.
Marshall started in place of ace Jorge De La Rosa, who was scratched a day earlier with a minor groin injury.
Marshall allowed two runs and two hits and struck out two in two innings. He earned the fifth starter job with the Yankees last year before an injury to his right middle finger kept him out most of the season. The right-hander pitched in three games for New York late in the season before signing with the Rockies. “They called and told me this would be a good opportunity,” Marshall said. “I think this is a good fit for me.”
