Tucson – Alexis Gomez wants to be more than a one-game wonder.
“I came to the Rockies because I think I have a good chance to make this team,” said Gomez, who is competing for a spot as a reserve outfielder.
When last seen on a major-league field, Gomez was starring for Detroit in the 2006 postseason. A bit player during the season – the Tigers cut him twice – he slammed a two-run homer and drove in four runs in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against Oakland.
“That was the most exciting moment of my career,” he said. “That moment opened a lot of eyes, and now a lot of teams know I can play.”
Gomez, 28, prepped for this season playing center field during winter ball in the Dominican League. But to make the Rockies’ roster, he must improve at the plate. In 62 regular-season games with Detroit last season, he hit one homer and drove in six runs.
Gomez flashes power. He hit four homers in a single game last season for Triple-A Toledo, but that power never has translated to the majors. In 89 regular-season big-league games, he has compiled a .259 average that includes just one homer and 11 RBIs.
Penny wise for Rockies
With Los Angeles Dodgers manager Grady Little focusing on matchups as he sets his rotation, it should come as no surprise Brad Penny is penciled in to start against the Rockies on April 9 in Los Angeles’ home opener. Penny went 5-0 with 2.67 ERA against Colorado last year and 11-9 against everyone else.
“He’s definitely going to be throwing hard then,” Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins said. “But we started to do better against him toward the end of the season.”
Footnotes
Dave Veres, most recently in a big-league camp three years ago, was pleased with the command of his split-finger pitch during a bullpen session Tuesday. … The Rockies are expected to publicly announce all contracts with non-arbitration players March 2. With the major-league minimum increased from $327,000 to $390,000 this season, the Rockies will issue contracts based on service time, precluding a monster raise for a star player such as Atkins. “We have our own scale and will stay consistent with what we’ve done,” general manager Dan O’Dowd said. “When the players get to arbitration, they would expect to make money like Matt (Holliday) did this year.”
Patrick Saunders can be reached at 303-954-1428 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
