Colorado Split: Highlights from the Rockies' split-squad Sunday

A busy first weekend of Cactus League play came to a close with a hectic day for the Colorado Rockies.

Sunday was split-squad day for the Rockies, who fell to Athletics 4-0, but the other half of the team beat Milwaukee 6-1.

The dual games, the first of three different split squad days for the Rockies this spring, left Colorado with a 3-1 record after three days of spring training games.

Highlights on Sunday included the impressive win over the Brewers, a win that included the debut of veteran Kris Bryant. The Rockies’ leader had a pair of plate appearances as a DH, drawing two walks. Bryant told the Denver Post he was feeling good and happy to be back on the field, something the Rockies are hoping they see plenty of after many injury-plagued seasons for Bryant in Denver.

“This was a big win for me,” Bryant said per the Denver Post on Sunday. “Honestly, just being on the field, feeling good and playing baseball is a big win for me.”

The game against the Brewers was also the first of the spring in which many of the Rockies every day players took the field together. And it showed as Colorado continued its spring hit parade, led by starters Brenton Doyle, Ryan McMahon, Ezequiel Tovar and Jacob Stallings, who all had hits in the win. Stallings and Tovar each had doubles.

The young guns were also part of the action on Sunday at Salt River Fields, as Colorado’s offense has been really good so far. Newly-Acquired Thairo Estrada made his presence felt with two hits and three runs batted in, while Yanquiel Fernandez had two hits and two RBIs, in what has been an impressive start to his spring.

In total, the Rockies sent 22 batters to the plate against the Brewers, while veteran Kyle Freeland pitched two strong innings and got the win in his spring training debut.

Freeland, who is indeed expected to be a big piece of the rotation this season, was sharp from the get-go, striking out two and leading the Colorado pitching staff to a five-hit, one-run performance against the Brewers, who are projected to win the National League Central once again.

A less-experienced Colorado squad got its at-bats against the Athletics on Sunday afternoon, where Colorado managed just four hits against the Athletics. Michael Toglia played for the second straight day for Colorado, and was the main veteran in what was the Rockies’ first spring loss.

Still, at the end of a busy Sunday, it was obvious that Colorado’s offense is shaping up to be a force to be reckoned with this season, and, the Rockies are showing some impressive depth.

Yes, it’s just four spring training games, but, the quality at-bats are piling up so far, and so too is some really strong work by the pitching staff, which was on display at both fields on Sunday as well.

The Rockies will continue Cactus League play Monday with a road game at San Francisco. That game will start at 1:05 p.m. M.S.T. at Scottsdale Stadium.