Colorado Rockies get big performances from Wilin Rosario, Eddie Butler on Tuesday

Eddie Butler and Wilin Rosario enjoyed their best day of the spring for the Rockies in split-squad action on Tuesday. Rosario, the starting designated hitter in the home game against the Mariners, went 3-for-4 with two home runs and five RBI to power the offense to an eventual 9-3 win that included a seven-run outburst in the fifth inning. Butler traveled to Camelback Ranch for the away tilt against the Dodgers and was brilliant, throwing three hitless innings with one walk and three strikeouts against a lineup consisting of a lot of regulars.

At Salt River Fields, Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick put together a strong performance, allowing no runs on two hits (neither of which were sharply hit) with no walks and three strikeouts in two innings of work. It was an encouraging sign from Kendrick, whom the Rockies are hoping will finally solidify the fifth spot in the rotation.

After Kendrick, the Rockies got a scoreless inning apiece from LaTroy Hawkins, John Axford, Buddy Boshers (a contender for the best name in spring training award), and Justin Miller before Rafael Betancourt allowed a run on three hits in the ninth.

Over at Camelback Ranch, Jhoulys Chacin struggled in his two innings of work. He allowed a run on three hits to go with a walk and a strikeout. Reports are that he didn't look sharp at all, which is especially concerning given the injury he's returning from. The good news is that it's still pretty early in spring training and he has time to (hopefully) regain his form from 2013. After Chacin, both Christian Friedrich and Jorge Rondon worked around a walk and a hit to throw scoreless frames. Jason Gurka allowed a run in the eighth on a home run to Scott Schebler and Scott Oberg struck out two in a scoreless 9th.

Offensively, catchers ruled the day. In addition to Rosario's big game, Nick Hundley hit his first home run of the spring off a Clayton Kershaw curveball (!!) and Michael McKenry doubled and walked in his three plate appearances. Carlos Gonzalez got his first hit of the spring in two at-bats against Seattle as well. Things didn't go as well for Rockies prospects. Correlle Prime went hitless in his two at-bats while David Dahl and Ryan McMahon each struck out in their only plate appearances.