Kyle Lewis Stays Hot in Win Against the Rockies

Lewis has recorded an extra base hit in each of his last three Cactus League games.

Despite a late start to camp, Kyle Lewis is making a serious run at a roster spot in the outfield. Lewis had three hits, including his second home run of the spring, and drove in five runs in a 10-9 win over the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields. He's now recorded an extra base hit in three straight games, an encouraging sign as the Diamondbacks hope to lengthen their lineup against left-handed starting pitchers.

"He's covering the baseball, he's not missing pitches. He's following the baseball, he's following the gameplan" said D-backs manager Torey Lovullo. "It seems like he's one pitch, and one thought ahead of anybody's next step. I think that when a hitter's in that spot, good things happen." 

With Lewis' bat heating up, the outfield competition becomes a lot more interesting. The D-backs are likely to feature Corbin Carroll, Jake McCarthy, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and Alek Thomas, so it could come to Lewis vs. Pavin Smith for the fifth outfielder role.

Carroll, fresh off signing an eight-year extension, went 1-for-4 and scored a pair of runs. He put all his tools on display, with three of the four balls he put into play having an exit velocity greater than 100 MPH, stole a base, and forced an otherwise surehanded shortstop in Ezequiel Tovar to commit a fielding error. 

Gabriel Moreno continues to show his impressive hitting skills, collecting a pair of opposite field hits on two-strike counts and drew a walk. 

Drey Jameson had a very inconsistent day on the mound against the Rockies. His velocity sat in the mid to upper 90s with a swing-and-miss slider, but the D-backs No. 5 prospect also allowed four runs on seven hits, one walk, and four strikeouts in three-plus innings. The Rockies scored in three of the four innings he started.

Ryne Nelson entered the game in the fifth and walked the very first batter he faced. The D-backs No. 6 prospect recovered to put up a zero in the fifth and a 1-2-3 sixth. he had a bit of bad luck in the seventh as the Rockies scored on a couple well-placed infield hits. After struggling in his first two Cactus League outings, it was a step in the right direction for Nelson. His fastball was 91-96 MPH, with the average being a tick below his 2022 average.

"I know Drey starting the game, had some good moments" said Lovullo. "There were some fastball misses out over the plate. Nelly, same thing, I don't think he really got to the curveball. I think his slider was more effective, but really couldn't get to that curveball. He gutted it out."

Justin Martinez finished out the fourth and struggled with control, as he walked the first two hitters he faced before a double, groundout, and a wild pitch allowed the Rockies to score four runs in the inning. His fastball touched up to 101 MPH.

Ryan Hendrix collected the final out of the seventh, striking out the only batter he faced to leave the bases loaded.

Corbin Martin came in the eighth and ninth inning. After striking out the first hitter, three straight Rockies reached on two singles and a walk to score a run. Martin was able to prevent any further damage by striking out the next two hitters on curveballs. He retired his only batter faced in the ninth on a groundout to second.

Kevin Ginkel entered with one out in the ninth. He retired the two hitters he faced on eight pitches, including a strikeout.

Lovullo was quick to praise how well his last two relievers performed. "I thought certain guys pitched a little bit, specifically Martin and Ginkel, they weren't just throwing the baseball, they were commanding all sorts of pitches. The big out that stands to me is a 3-2 breaking ball for Corbin Martin to strike out the hitter."

The D-backs will travel to Surprise tomorrow to take on the Texas Rangers. Zac Gallen will get the start with first pitch will be 1:10PM MST.

Updates

Josh Rojas was scratched from the lineup due to general fatigue. Lovullo said he gave him a couple days off and could see him return as early as tomorrow's game.

Lewis may be close to seeing some action in the outfield. They've had discussions with the player about it, they're just waiting for things to line up before putting him out there.