PHOENIX (AP) _ Scott Karl said he didn't have anything to prove to the Milwaukee Brewers. Still, it was a pretty convincing performance.

Karl recovered from a rocky start to throw seven strong innings in the Colorado Rockies' 7-1 win over Milwaukee on Tuesday.

Karl was traded in the offseason along with Jeff Cirillo in a deal that brought starting pitchers Jamey Wright and Jimmy Haynes and catcher Henry Blanco to Milwaukee. Wright will start the season on the injured list, and Haynes has been rocked in several spring outings.

Karl, who was 31-35 the last three seasons with Milwaukee, said he harbored no revenge fantasies in his first start against the team with which he had spent his entire career _ and he claimed no special edge against his longtime teammates.

``Just because we played together doesn't mean that we're going to know everything about each other,'' Karl said. ``It was a good battle. I just happened to come out on the plus side today.''

Jeffrey Hammonds hit a two-run fifth-inning homer for Colorado, and utility infielder Terry Shumpert was 3-for-3 with a run-scoring double.

Milwaukee got its only run in the first inning. After Marquis Grissom nearly hit Karl with a sharp leadoff single back up the middle and Mark Loretta singled down the third-base line, Jeromy Burnitz hit a long sacrifice fly that scored Grissom.

Karl was known for his poor first innings in Milwaukee, but he calmed down and eventually made his longest appearance of the spring. He and relievers Mike DeJean and David Lee combined for 8 2-3 scoreless innings from that point on. Milwaukee didn't get an extra-base hit in the game.

``It's the first inning. You don't want to get tight right there,'' Karl said. ``You give up a run, so be it. Just stay away from the big innings. That's a Colorado mentality.''

Ron Belliard, the Brewers second baseman who dislocated his right thumb three weeks ago, took batting practice and said he hopes to play in Milwaukee's game against San Francisco on Wednesday. Luis Lopez went 1-for-3 and turned a double play in his place Tuesday.

``He's healing quickly every day,'' manager Davey Lopes said. ``There's a chance he can be ready by next Monday (opening day).''