SAN FRANCISCO -- Rockies right-hander Jordan Lyles said his relief appearances have been on-the-job training, but he looked comfortable during his one perfect inning that earned him a win in Tuesday night's 7-3 victory over the Giants.
Lyles (2-2) has worked exclusively from the stretch the last couple of outings. Tuesday was his fifth relief appearance in his 10 games this season. But Lyles, who has started 102 of his 114 games since breaking in with the Astros in 2011, isn't claiming he has a relief routine down pat.
"I don't know; I'm doing what I'm told to do -- coming in and getting outs," Lyles said. "It's still new to me and getting a routine is going to take some time. I started going from the stretch an outing or two ago. It has more to do with getting ready to come into a game quicker, to not waste as much time."
After posting an 8.55 ERA and struggling with strike-throwing as a starter, Lyles has composed a 4.05 ERA as a reliever and has thrown scoreless ball in three of his last four games. Still, his eventual role is up for debate.
"I'm not going to write off the starting thing for Jordan," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "[Relief] is where he fits for our club and he's done a nice job."
Another return to the mound
Rockies bench coach Tom Runnells, who underwent elbow, shoulder and biceps surgery during the offseason, threw batting practice for the first time this season Tuesday and did so Wednesday. It was a welcome return for Runnells, who missed the throwing -- a habit, considering he has 41 years of playing and coaching experience.
"It was fun to throw again, and then you weigh your BP against what the guys you threw to did in the game, and they did well," said Runnells, who threw to Nolan Arenado (who turned the game with a three-run homer), Charlie Blackmon, Mark Reynolds and Nick Hundley. "Anyway, it was nice to be back out there. Anything I can do to help."
Hitting and moving
Left fielder Gerardo Parra, who suffered a high-left ankle sprain June 14, has taken batting practice on the field the last two days. On Wednesday, he did some running from the infield dirt into the outfield. Parra, whose running program has had some fits and starts, said the upper ankle feels good but he feels "something" -- but not pain -- lower in the ankle. Still, he reported progress.
"I want to hit every day and try to feel comfortable, and that feels good," Para said.
Bergman's rehab
Righty Christian Bergman, who suffered a left oblique injury on May 19, threw 56 pitches in four scoreless innings for Triple-A Albuquerque Monday in his third injury rehab game. Weiss said the Rockies would discuss Bergman, and it's possible he'll have another Minor League game before being considered for activation.