DENVER -- The opposite-field home run by the Rockies’ Josh Fuentes on Saturday night was breaking news at the Major League level. But Fuentes, who started for Colorado at third base in each of the season’s first three games, said those who knew him back when have seen it before.

Fuentes swatted a low four-seam fastball from Dodgers right-hander Blake Treinen 398 feet to right field and into the home bullpen. The ball was toward the end of the bat, but Fuentes was looking to drive it to right.

“Actually, in my Minor League career, most of my homers were oppo,” Fuentes said. “In the big leagues, I started pulling for some reason. But usually, I like going oppo. That was nice to see.”

Fuentes’ hit chart through his first 57 Major League games shows an all-fields hitter, but his homer power was exclusively to the pull side until Saturday.

“He squared that one up,” manager Bud Black said. “Josh’s primary power is to the pull side. But that was a pitcher who throws the ball in the upper 90s. If you square the ball up against those types of guys, they supply the power.”

Fuentes’ goal is to become a more complete hitter in the Majors. He had such a year in 2018 for Triple-A Albuquerque, when he earned the Pacific Coast League Rookie of the Year and MVP Awards and batted .327/.354/.517 with 14 home runs and 95 RBIs.

Fuentes opened eyes with a .306 batting average in 30 games with the Rockies last season, and a solid Spring Training (.339 average, eight doubles, one triple and one home run) has earned him opportunities. The ability to become more selective when ahead in counts -- he went 2-for-13 with five strikeouts in the first three games -- is still a work in progress.

But Fuentes, who was a late scratch from Sunday's lineup with left wrist soreness, can attack his weaknesses with the confidence of knowing that his strengths are valuable to the Rockies.

“That relaxation comes from the fact Buddy is trusting me and giving me starts, and my teammates are trusting me,” Fuentes said. “That self-confidence and confidence from the team is really helping me out. I wasn’t a starter, but I’ve gotten a couple of starts. [Saturday], I had a better game, better at-bats. Its all about getting in a rhythm. Once I get in a rhythm, the sky is the limit.”

Márquez to start Tuesday
Black prefers to give his starters an extra day off the first time through the rotation. However, on Tuesday against the D-backs, he is going with Germán Márquez on regular rest after the right-hander threw 92 pitches in four innings in Thursday’s season opener.

Márquez's short start forced Black to use fifth starter Chi Chi González in relief. González could slot in during the three-game series against the D-backs, if he isn’t used out of the bullpen again and if another starter needs an extra day. Or the other four could stay on normal rest and González could start Saturday at San Francisco.

Tapia, Gray both OK
Black said left fielder Raimel Tapia was sore after sustaining whiplash when slamming into the wall trying to make a play on Saturday night. Tapia pinch-hit during Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Dodgers, striking out looking in the eighth inning and remaining in the game in left field in the ninth.

Black also said right-hander Jon Gray, who left Saturday’s game in the sixth inning with full-body cramps, should be fine for his next start.

Left to history
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Rockies' four homers in Friday’s seventh inning from Charlie Blackmon, Ryan McMahon, Dom Nuñez and Sam Hilliard marked the first time four left-handed hitters went deep in the same inning since July 16, 2004, when Cleveland’s Ben Broussard, Victor Martinez, Travis Hafner and Jody Gerut all homered in the ninth inning against Seattle.