TUCSON, Ariz. -- Colorado outfielder Brad Hawpe's pinkie has healed. Now he has to get his swing into shape.
The Rockies right fielder struck out twice in his first action in nearly two weeks, and the Rockies lost to the Seattle Mariners 10-5 on Saturday.
"I didn't get the results I wanted to at the plate, but it felt good to be back in there," Hawpe said. "My legs felt good, (and) may arm felt good."
Hawpe needed four stitches in his left pinkie after being spiked while running back to second base Feb. 27 against the Los Angeles Angels.
Colorado's slugger has been throwing for about a week, but didn't start hitting until two days ago.
He struck out swinging both times facing Ryan Rowland-Smith.
"There is a major league pitcher on the mound. You have to get yourself back into the rhythm and getting the zone at the plate," Hawpe said. "The timing was not quite there. I will have to get back in there and keep battling and get the timing back and keep working on the swing."
Hawpe, who hit .283 with 25 homers and 85 RBI last season, is being relied on to make up for the loss of outfielder Matt Holliday, who was traded to Oakland in November. Hawpe was 3-for-4 before the injury.
Rowland-Smith had two singles in his first plate appearances since he was 17 years old. The left-hander made up for the nine-year absence by also scoring two runs.
"I can't believe I am sitting here talking about hitting. I don't want to sound like I know what I am talking about, but I did see the changeup (on the first pitch) so I knew he was going to throw me a fastball. I tried to swing and hit it as hard as I could," Rowland-Smith said about the second hit. "It was fun."
Rowland-Smith did the job on the mound, as well, giving up two runs in four innings. He allowed five hits, struck out three and didn't walk a batter.
The left-hander, 3-2 with a 3.5 ERA in 12 starts a year ago, had one of his better outings of the spring, with the two hardest hit balls being doubles from Matt Murton and Sal Fasano in the fourth inning.
"Everything is starting to come around. My fastball was a little bit crisper, and the changeup was really good. The breaking ball, slider and curve are still taking a little bit of time to come around," Rowland-Smith said. "Early in camp it seemed like I was bouncing everything and now everything is kind of spinning."
Colorado starter Jason Marquis allowed five runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.
Seattle's Ronny Cedeno had a double and a two-run homer off Marquis. Matt Tuiasosopo was 4-for-5 with a two-run homer, a double and 4 RBI.
Mariners first baseman Chris Shelton went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. He is batting .523 this spring (11-for-21).
Colorado's Dexter Fowler had three of the Rockies nine hits.
Notes
Mariners pitchers Brandon Morrow and Erik Bedard had bullpen sessions on Saturday and didn't travel with the team. Bedard, who missed his last start with muscle pain in his buttocks, threw 30 pitches without feeling any discomfort. Morrow, bothered by right forearm pain, threw from in front of the rubber without additional problems. He has missed his last two starts. ... Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins is day to day with a right hip flexor.
