Christian Bergman. (Justin Edmonds, Getty Images)
ROCKIES 8, DIAMONDBACKS 6, 10 innings
At Salt River Fields
Scottsdale, Ariz. — Christian Bergman went right after Arizona star Paul Goldschmidt in the first inning Sunday. The right-hander threw a 92-mph fastball that struck out the D-backs best hitter in a 2-2 count. It was the kind of regular season-looking at-bat that might nudge Bergman into Colorado s starting rotation.
But in the fifth inning agaisnt Bergman, in an 0-0 count, Goldschmidt homered off the same fastball. It was the kind of at-bat that might cause pause.
Any time you face a hitter like that, as good as he is, you want to get after it, said Bergman, who threw a spring-high 74 pitches as the Rockies stretched him out into a possible starters role. Challenge him, challenge yourself. Make it as regular season-like as possible.
If the Rockies choose to use a five-man rotation to begin the season, Bergman will be No. 5. Otherwise, he ll return to a long-relief role in the bullpen.
He just finds a way to get through a lineup multiple times, manager Walt Weiss said.
Bergman said he used Sunday’s appearance to work out his pitch-sequencing for longer outings. With Jon Gray (ab strain) on the shelf to start the season, the fifth spot belongs to Bergman, unless the Rockies ride a four-man rotation using off-days to spell the others.
HITS
** Outfielder Raimel Tapia, called up from minor-league camp, went 3-for-4 including a crouch-stance, two-strike double for an RBI off Rubby De La Rosa.
** Catcher Tony Wolters hit two RBI doubles in three at-bats. He’s on a role lately at the plate. But in deciding who will start the season as Nick Hundley’s backup, Weiss said he will focus on defense.
“It’s more about handling the staff and defending,” Weiss said. “You’re not really looking for run production. It’s a difficult role. You’re probably only playing a couple times a week. It’s icing on the cake when you get production from that guy. It’s more about being able to handle a game defensively and handle a pitching staff.”
** Chris Nelson’s triple to right in the top of the 10th scored Mark Reynolds and Josh Fuentes to help win the game for Colorado.
** Scott Oberg allowed just one hit in an inning of work after Bergman. He’s battling Miguel Castro for the final spot in Colorado’s bullpen. Oberg in 2015 stranded nearly 80 percent of the runners he inherited (31 of 39), the 10th best mark among qualifying relievers in the NL.
“I’m gonna throw whenever they tell me to, whenever Walt puts me in,” Oberg said.
Weiss said it’s become Oberg’s role.
“It’s a skill,” Weiss said. “Typically I’ll look for guys who can get two outs with one pitch. If you can get a double play, you can put out a fire. Not that Scotty is a prototype sinkerballer. But his mentality, more than anything, served him well in those situations.”
MISSES
LHP Jason Gurka struck out two in the ninth, but allowed a game-tying double to Sean Jamieson.
WHAT’S NEXT
Rockies (RHP Jordan Lyles) host the White Sox (LHP John Danks) at Salt River, Monday, 1:10 p.m. (760-AM, no TV).
