Jordan Lyles. (Lenny Ignelzi, The Associated Press)
PEORIA, Ariz. — Jordan Lyles got roughed up Friday in the Rockies’ penultimate Cactus League game, a night-time trip to face the host Mariners. But it wasn’t the spring game he had his eye on.
Lyles was preparing to start Tuesday at Milwaukee in the Rockies second game of the season. So it mattered little that he allowed three runs, walked three, struck out one and threw a wild pitch in just 1 1/3 innings against Seattle.
“I’m good. It’s tough to end on that kind of outing. But everything is ready for the season,” Lyles said. “I wanted to get those pitches in tonight.”
Lyles was scheduled with a two-inning cap against Seattle anyway. He gave up a two-run triple to Seattle’s Brad Miller and a double to Seth Smith.
Friday’s start, however abbreviated, still gives Lyles just four days rest before his season debut. The Rockies had an off-day Thursday and
Lyles said he’s not bothered by the schedule. Friday’s game, he said, was like a glorified bullpen session.
“It’s go-time Tuesday,” Lyles said. “There are no excuses. That won’t be on my mind. Not a big deal. I probably could’ve stopped giving up runs and walking everybody in the lineup. But I’m ready.”
Bergman gets two too
Christian Bergman also pitched two innings. He was prepping for on the roster for the first time in his career. Bergman gave up one run on two hits with a strikeout in two innings against the M’s.
Rockies manager Walt Weiss said Bergman’s move to the bullpen is not permanent.
“We look at him still as a starter,” Weiss said of Bergman. “We don’t want to de-condition him as a starter. There are some things that are still up in the air. So we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves on this one. We’re looking at the first week and a half of the season and then we’ll regroup and go from there.
“But we feel like he provides a skillset and a protection for us because he’s reliable.”
CarGo’s scorecard juggle
Carlos Gonzalez wore three Rockies jerseys in three innings. He had on 84 (an extra shirt), 25 (he borrowed from hitting coach Blake Doyle) and 5 (his own). It’s got to be a record.
Tags: Christian Bergman, Jordan Lyles
