PHOENIX -- On Friday afternoon, Rockies right-handed reliever Carlos Estévez explained how he is rolling through the irregularities of the early part of the season.

Before giving up two game-deciding home runs in the eighth inning of the Rockies’ 4-1 loss to the D-backs at Chase Field, Estévez had given up just two runs in his previous nine appearances. His previous two outings were in games with wide score margins, but Estévez and manager Bud Black knew that he would be needed in tight contests. Last year, Estévez missed 21 games with a right middle finger injury, but still managed to tally 64 appearances -- many in high-leverage spots.

But there was one odd stat: Estévez, who tends to touch 100 mph, had not struck out anyone in his first 7 1/3 innings.

“Honestly, I don’t mind it. … I’m not going to go 162 games without a strikeout,” said Estévez, with his familiar smile.

Friday, he entered in the eighth with a 1-1 score and struck out the first batter he faced. Then things spiraled. Daulton Varsho’s solo shot and David Peralta’s two-run blast sent the Rockies to defeat after another solid outing from right-hander Chad Kuhl. Kuhl twirled six innings of one-run ball with five strikeouts, leaving his ERA at 1.82, however, the offense struggled for 8 2/3 innings against D-backs righty Merrill Kelly (1.22 ERA). A two-out, bases-loaded rally in the ninth inning ultimately fell flat.

Estévez warmed up but did not enter Thursday’s 9-7 home victory over the Nationals. But Friday was going to be his night if the game was close. After Black had given primary setup man Tyler Kinley and closer Daniel Bard a heavy workload during the Rockies’ last homestand, others would have to bring home a victory.

Robert Stephenson recovered from a shaky outing on Thursday with an easy eighth on Friday. Now, Estévez is the one having to recover.

Black’s assessment: Estévez was not sharp, but part of the problem was bad fortune.

“I’ve got to look at the Varsho pitch,” Black said. “That pitch was riding up and away. It looked like a ball, in the mid to upper 90s, and, somehow, he got to it. Peralta, for sure, that was a down-the-middle fastball.

“But coming into the game, this was his 10th outing and he’d given up two runs. It was maybe not as crisp as he’s been all year. We’ve seen a better version of Carlos, but he’ll get there.”

Estévez still has his velocity. His goal this year is efficiency.

“I'm just looking for weak contact -- I've been getting a lot of it,” Estévez said. “I’m just looking for the opportunity.”

There will be another opportunity.