Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez saw their first action of 2015 in today's spring training contest at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, each getting a pair of plate appearances in the Rockies' 2-2 tie with the Reds.
Gonzalez and Tulowitzki each had an at bat in the first inning, grounding out to the mound and striking out, respectively, against Reds starter David Holmberg.
Cincinnati got its two runs in the top of the second inning against Rockies starter Jordan Lyles on a bases loaded ground out by designated hitter Felix Perez and an error by Rockies second baseman Daniel Descalso on a ground ball from Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart. Lyles pitched two innings today, allowing the two runs, one earned, on two hits with a walk and a strikeout.
The third inning saw Gonzalez and Tulowitzki each get a second plate appearance against Holmberg, with Gonzalez drawing a five-pitch walk and Tulowitzki popping out to Barnhart with men on the corners.
Colorado got on the board in the bottom of the fourth when Descalso's two-out single scored left fielder Kyle Parker, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
The Rockies still trailed 2-1 when No. 2 PuRP David Dahl entered the game in center field and Rex Brothers took the mound for his first spring outing. Brothers looked solid, retiring the side in order in his inning of work, including a strikeout of second baseman Brandon Phillips.
Dahl got his first at bat in the bottom of the seventh, lining out to left against the Reds' Michael Lorenzen.
In the eighth, Matt McBride scored on Rafael Ynoa's double play ball to tie the game, 2-2. The Rockies had a chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth but Dahl grounded out with two on and two out to end the game.
The Rockies will split the squad tomorrow for games against the Dodgers and Mariners.