Pomeranz encouraged by relief outing

DENVER -- Rockies lefty Drew Pomeranz had a positive one-inning relief appearance Monday against the Cardinals. It's not clear when he'll have his next chance, but he appreciated a positive outing after a year that has been difficult at the Major League level.

"It was good to throw strikes and make pitches," said Pomeranz, who gave up a hit but forced a double-play grounder in the 6-2 victory. "I just had an inning, 13 pitches or so, but it was good to go right after guys."

Pomeranz is 0-4 with a 7.64 ERA in five games, with all the losses coming in starts -- the last on July 22 -- before he suffered a left biceps tendon strain.

Pomeranz went a combined 8-2 with a 4.65 ERA in 16 Minor League games. But before his first call-up from Triple-A Colorado Springs in June, Pomeranz, after consulting with coaches, raised his arm slot and ended up creating inconsistency.

"I tried to get my arm up a little bit and I eventually got it up too much, which caused me to get hurt, and the consistency was kind of all over the place," said Pomeranz, who is still looking for the production the Rockies sought in the 2011 trade that sent former ace Ubaldo Jimenez to Cleveland. "We just kind of did it. It's a learning experience.

"I think I know what I need to do to be successful up here. I need to do what I know. It's about keeping the same mechanics, instead of trying to change stuff up so much. You never get anywhere when you do that."

Pomeranz, 24, received high marks for arriving in Spring Training in impressive condition, and hopes to take the next step in 2014.

"I learned a lot of good lessons, the good and the bad, and have some perspective," he said. "I think I said the same thing last year, but I'm learning about using what I learned to put it all together and have a good year."