Catcher Gabriel Moreno hit a 460-foot home run far up the lawn in left field in the bottom of the first inning for the Diamondbacks, giving them a 1-0 lead against the San Francisco Giants in a spring training game on Saturday, March 7, at Salt River Fields.
It was Moreno’s first home run and first extra-base hit of spring training, and just his fourth hit in 21 at-bats. He went hitless in his next two at-bats.
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The home run came off San Francisco Giants starter JT Brubaker. Moreno was the only regular player in the Diamondbacks’ lineup on Saturday, which also included Pavin Smith and Ildemaro Vargas.
“It feels good,” Moreno said in Spanish, smiling. “I’m just adjusting. I have to make adjustments to pitches, and it felt good to make good contact. Defense is the first priority for catchers, individually, too, throwing, blocking, catching, trying to help the pitchers and working on communication.”
Torin scratched from lineup, more player updates
The Diamondbacks made a lineup change prior to Saturday’s game, removing SS Cristofer Torin, one of the organization’s top prospects, and putting Demetrio Crisantes into the second spot in the batting order. Torin is dealing with a sore ankle but isn’t expected to miss more than a day, manager Torey Lovullo said. Crisantes played second base, with José Fernandez moving to shortstop from third base. Vargas was moved from second base to third.
Right-hander Merrill Kelly (back tightness) is set to face live hitters on Sunday morning, March 8, part of his routine as he works his way toward possibly being ready to pitch the first week of the regular season.
Outfielder Corbin Carroll (hand injury) will continue with his progression of baseball activities after hitting against live pitching on Friday, March 6.
Catcher/DH Adrian Del Castillo (left calf injury) took batting practice on Saturday and is slowly being integrated into all baseball activity. He’s doing defensive drills and is getting close to full strength, Lovullo said.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar catches a fly ball during spring training workouts at Salt River Fields on Feb. 13, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno (14) bats against the Colorado Rockies in the fourth inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Alek Thomas (5) runs to second base after hitting a double against the Colorado Rockies in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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D. Baxter the Bobcat, the Arizona Diamondbacks mascot, signs autographs during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks take the field against the Colorado Rockies during the spring training season opener at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run over Colorado Rockies left fielder Zac Veen (13) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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The Salt River Pima – Maricopa Indian Community traditional dancers perform at the Arizona Diamondbacks spring training season opener at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) hits a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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A fan and her dog cheer for the Arizona Diamondbacks during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) signs autographs during the spring training season opener against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Colorado Rockies pitcher Juan Mejia (47) throws to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the third inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Fans watch the action on the left field lawn as the Colorado Rockies host the Arizona Diamondbacks during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Andrew Hoffmann (56) throws to the Colorado Rockies in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks’ Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after hitting a home run off Colorado Rockies pitcher Antonio Senzatela (49) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Alek Thomas (5) catches a fly ball from Colorado Rockies’ Edouard Julien (6) in the second inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Philip Abner (50) takes the mound against the Colorado Rockies in the third inning during a spring training game at Salt River Fields on Feb. 20, 2026, in Scottsdale.
Brenly honored in pregame ceremony
Former Diamondbacks manager Bob Brenly and current broadcaster was inducted into the Cactus League Hall of Fame, in a pregame ceremony at home plate on Saturday.
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Brenly is part of the five-member class for 2026 that includes Seattle Mariners legend Ichiro Suzuki, longtime manager and former player Dusty Baker, former politician Geoffrey Gonsher and ex-big leaguer Paul Konerko, raised in Scottsdale.
“It’s truly an honor to be recognized,” Brenly told the crowd in expressing his gratitude to the fans.
Diamondbacks in WBC update
In the World Baseball Classic, RHP Michael Soroka allowed a run on four hits over three innings, with two strikeouts and a walk, in Canada’s 8-2 win over Colombia on Saturday. Also, OF Druw Jones went 2-for-3 for the Netherlands in the team’s 4-3 comeback win over Nicaragua.
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Eighteen-year-old RHP Jaitoine Kelly started and pitched two scoreless innings for the Netherlands, striking three and walking one with only one hit allowed.
Giants 7 Diamondbacks 4
At Salt River Fields
On the mound: LHP Kohl Drake made his third appearance of spring training and allowed three runs on five hits in 2⅓ innings. He struck out two. Drake has given up at least a run in each of his three outings. RHP Paul Sewald pitched a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts. RHP and bullpen candidate Kade Strowd allowed two earned runs in one inning of work, on one hit and a walk. LHP Brandyn Garcia, ticketed for the Diamondbacks’ major league bullpen, got a strikeout in a 1-2-3 sixth inning. RHP Jonathan Loasiga, another bullpen candidate for the major league roster, allowed a run on two doubles with a strikeout in one inning, in his third outing of spring training.
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At the plate: Aside from Moreno’s home run, Fernandez hit his third home run of spring training, a line drive to left field in the seventh inning. Smith and Fernandez hit back-to-back doubles in the fourth inning to produce a run. “Feel very good, thanks to God. The work is reflecting and I’m very happy with the results,” Fernandez said in Spanish. “Great swing plane, great awareness at the plate as to how he’s getting worked,” Lovullo said of Fernandez.
Extra bases: Fernandez played a solid shortstop Saturday, making athletic plays from his position. “He’s got a good, clean arm stroke, he’s got nice hands,” Lovullo said. Fernandez said he likes being used at various infield positions, but prefers shortstop. CF Jorge Barrosa was called out on strikes with the ABS system, after he’d walked. The Giants challenged and got a borderline call. “We know the ground rules, and it’s OK. It’s a strike,” Lovullo said. “If that call was right, I’m satisfied with that.”
Next game: Diamondbacks RHP Kevin Ginkel vs. Cincinnati Reds RHP Brady Singer, 1:05 p.m., Sunday, March 8, Goodyear Ballpark.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: 1st spring training home run for Arizona Diamondbacks’ Gabriel Moreno