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Diamondbacks 6, Rockies 4: Bullpen meltdown spoils rally

Spring training happened on Wednesday. At least everybody's OK -- I think.

Doug Pensinger

The Rockies rallied from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Diamondbacks scored twice against reliever Raul Fernandez in the next half-inning en route to a 6-4 victory at Salt River Fields on Wednesday.

Fernandez allowed three hits, including a two-run double off the bat of Brandon Drury, in an ugly eighth inning that featured a warning issued to both benches after the enigmatic right-hander uncorked a pitch that sailed behind Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero, who hit a two-run homer a couple of innings earlier. That wiped away a three-run comeback in the seventh that featured a home run from Paul Janish and an RBI single from Drew Stubbs.

Janish is making a serious run at a spot on the Rockies' 25-man roster. He had two more hits to raise his spring training average to .480 and continues to play impressive defense at shortstop.

That segues nicely into the biggest news of the night. Troy Tulowitzki left the game in the fourth inning after being hit in the left leg by Diamondbacks starter Wade Miley. Fortunately, X-rays were negative and Tulo should be back in action within the next couple of days. Still, it was a frightening reminder of how much the Rockies need a decent insurance policy for him, and maybe that's where Janish comes in.

Pedro Hernandez started the game for the Rockies and allowed a run on a homer to Aaron Hill, who also doubled off of the Hernandez. Roster hopeful Tommy Kahnle surrendered a run in his lone inning of work, and bullpen stalwart Wilton Lopez spoiled his good spring by serving up the homer to Montero after allowing a triple off the bat of Mark Trumbo.

Another big-league bullpen candidate, Chad Bettis, got some work in, striking out a batter and allowing a hit in a scoreless inning.

Stubbs and Janish led the Rockies with two hits apiece. Stubbs also drew a walk and is now hitting .333 this spring. On the flip side, Nolan Arenado, Carlos Gonzalez and Justin Morneau combined to go 0-for-10. Morneau still does not have a hit in Cactus League play, though he's only had seven at-bats.

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The Rockies will be back at it on Thursday against the Athletics. Tyler Chatwood, who has yet to allow a run this spring, will take the ball for Colorado opposite A.J. Griffin.