Vodnik learns high-leverage lesson: 'Nobody's invicible'

DENVER -- Before his club’s 5-3 loss to the Mets on Wednesday night at Coors Field, Rockies manager Bud Black spoke about how rookie reliever Victor Vodnik has improved throughout the course of the season.

“When we started pitching him in the eighth or a little deeper in closer games, it seemed like his poise improved, his calmness,” Black said before giving a couple of examples.

“There was the 3-1 slider for an out [on Tuesday against the Mets’ Harrison Bader]. He threw a slider when the guy’s throwing 97-98 mph. He threw a 3-2 slider against J.D. Martinez in New York to end the game [on July 14.]. … I think just his mix of pitches and getting in the zone, and the big misses aren’t there. I think earlier in the year we saw bigger misses and catchers jumping, catchers flailing.”

Vodnik, whom Colorado acquired last summer in the deal that sent reliever Pierce Johnson to the Braves prior to the Trade Deadline, has had his ups and downs in his first full MLB season. But entering Wednesday, the 24-year-old right-hander hadn’t been scored upon in five consecutive outings, and eight of his past nine. His recent success lowered his season ERA to 3.64.

Then came the ninth inning on Wednesday night, when Vodnik was looking to maintain a 2-2 tie to give the Rockies a chance for a walk-off win.

This time, though, things went south.

Vodnik got former Rockies player Jose Iglesias to ground out to open the frame. But then Vodnik gave up a triple to Francisco Alvarez and walked the next two batters, Ben Gamel and Tyrone Taylor.

That brought up Francisco Lindor, who promptly lined a two-run single to left field to break the stalemate. Vodnik then struck out Brandon Nimmo but surrendered an RBI single to Jesse Winker that made it 5-2.

The Rockies don’t have an official closer. But Vodnik’s audition had been going well recently. The thing is, no matter who you are as a Major League reliever, you’re going to stumble at some point.

“Nobody’s invincible,” Black said. “I mean, look across every game that’s been played this season, you look at the guys that are pitching at the back end of the bullpen, there are guys who have hiccups, right? I mean, look at [the Mets’] guys, look at [Edwin] Díaz, a really good pitcher who has had his ups and downs.

“ … Especially as a closer, you have to pound that strike zone when you have good stuff -- a fastball in the upper 90s, good slider, changeup. [Vodnik] has got the weapons.”

What does a club will look for after a rough outing by a young pitcher with the type of stuff Vodnik has? How he’ll bounce back.

His next outing and the ones thereafter will represent another test of his maturity. But Vodnik feels ready for it even after his struggles Wednesday.

“It’s just one of those things you’ve got to let go,” Vodnik said. “I was trying to be a little too fine tonight and got behind in counts that I should be ahead of. I just kind of let it get away from me. …

“That’s something I’ve been dealing with earlier in the season, just trying to stay under control, trying to breathe, trying to relax. But then knowing when to be that dog and go after it.”

With a fastball that can touch triple digits, along with two good secondary offerings, Vodnik certainly needs to have that dog in him.

He just needs to have his feet on the ground at the same time.

“[It’s about] pitching,” Vodnik said. “Knowing what’s happening, knowing the information the hitters give me and just focusing on the next pitch.”

For the time being, Vodnik’s next pitch will have to wait. That’s the thing about relievers: They never know when they’ll be called upon to get some big outs.

In the meantime, Vodnik knows he has the antidote for overthinking a rough performance.

“I’m probably going to go look at some video right now, go over it and see how I can improve,” he said. “And then when I get back to the house, just kind of let it go.

“Then it’s time to be a dad because I’ve got two daughters [2 and 3 years old], so it’s something you’ve got to let go.”