BALTIMORE -- Building on his Major League debut on Saturday, first baseman Warming Bernabel delivered his first career big league homer in the second inning of Colorado's 5-1 loss in Sunday's series finale at Camden Yards in Baltimore.
The solo shot came off a 90.9-mph cutter from Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano and traveled well over the left-field wall to put the Rockies up, 1-0.
Bernabel singled in the ninth inning Saturday night, and in his first at-bat Sunday, he smacked a Statcast-projected 385-foot homer with his extended family, wife and son watching from the stands at Oriole Park.
"It is a dream come true,” Bernabel said via third-base coach Andy González. “[It's] something I dreamt about since I was little. Most importantly, I was able to hit my first home run in the big leagues with my family watching. That means a lot to me."
The blast was a perfect next step in the progression for the 23-year-old from Bani, Dominican Republic, who made his second start in as many days, going 1-for-3 with a homer and a walk while batting seventh.
“I wasn't looking at any pitch specifically,” Bernabel said of the homer. “I knew the first pitch was a slider, down and away. So, I was trying to maintain that direction. The one I hit out was a cutter in. I was able to [get] around on that cutter inside, because my swing was down the middle."
Bernabel, who played first base and third base in his first two big league opportunities this weekend, was trending well in the Minors before his callup Saturday.
In 75 games with Triple-A Albuquerque this season, Bernabel slashed .301/.356/.450 with 18 doubles, eight homers and 45 RBIs. He went 2-for-6 this weekend.
"It was great to get his first home run out of the way in the second game,” said interim manager Warren Schaeffer. “[I am] really happy for him. That's cool. The guys all loved it too. Any time you can get a guy with his first homer, it's a good day."
The 6-foot-1 infielder signed with the Rockies as a free agent in 2018, kept building until 2023 when he had an uneven season with Double-A Hartford, and in December 2023, he survived being shot in a robbery attempt at a restaurant in his native Dominican Republic.
Bernabel also flashed deft glovework at first base, recording outs on several critical chances.
With a runner on first in the first inning, Bernabel knocked down a hot shot off the bat of Gunnar Henderson, found the ball on the ground in front of him and stepped on first base for the second out. Tyler O’Neill then popped out to Bernabel to end the inning.
His signature defensive play came to start the bottom of the sixth when he dove to his right to snag a line drive off of the bat of Orioles third baseman Ramon Urías. In the eighth, he nabbed Ramón Laureano at second base on a Henderson hard ground ball fielder’s choice.
"[I have been] working hard, preparing for [Sunday],” Bernabel said. “Once the game starts, [I feel like] every ball is going to be hit to me. I was always ready for anything. That's my mindset."
O’Neill drilled a fastball into the left-field stands for a two-run shot and Dylan Carlson connected with a two-run double off starter Austin Gomber (0-5). Colorado is 0-7 in Gomber's starts since June 15.
"I felt fine, [but I am] continuing to give up a lot of hits on the fastball,” Gomber said. “At this point, I'm not really sure why I continue to throw it. I will have to adjust the game plan next time."
Schaeffer gave Brenton Doyle one more day off, but expects the center fielder to return to the lineup in Monday’s series opener in Cleveland.
"It's disappointing to lose a series every time,” Schaeffer said. “We've won two out of three series now to start the second half, so we are looking to go into Cleveland and get us another series."