Ryan Feltner’s stuff is some of manager Bud Black’s favorite, especially when he has it tuned in and simplified.

He can’t do it alone, though, even with a fastball that rivals anyone on the Colorado Rockies’ roster and the shortened game plans that have let his repertoire work.

The starter led Colorado to a five-run lead before the Tampa Bay Rays took over, and won, 8-6, at a windy Coors Field on Saturday. His 10 strikeouts were a career-high after he tied his previous mark of seven several times over. But unfortunately the bullpen couldn’t follow suit.

The fall started eerily similar to Friday’s, but without the happy ending. Simplifying the game is a skill his teammates are still working on, too.

Jalen Beeks faced a choppy situation after Tyler Kinley struggled to get outs in the eighth. The latter captured two outs before a home run, single and double sent him to the dugout.

Beeks allowed a single on his third pitch in relief, and the strike-throwing stopped.

He walked the Rays’ Ben Rortvedt on four pitches before Jose Siri did so on five. Of his 12 pitches without an out, Beeks threw nine balls.

“I had to come in there and keep that guy at third and it didn’t happen — two walks are unacceptable,” Beeks said. “I just have to figure out how to stay in the zone and get guys out.”

Justin Lawrence came in, threw two quick strikes and the Rockies’ early mistakes came back to bite them. A sharp groundball to first base took an awkward hop over Michael Toglia’s head and turned a blown lead into a two-run deficit. On Friday, it was a low throw and missed scoop that gave the lead away.

Feltner’s effort can’t be forgotten.

His sinking heater dipped under Rays’ bats from the second inning on, and the whiffs piled up. He was the third pitcher in franchise history to go six innings, allow two or fewer hits, and strike out 10 in a start at Coors Field. The two alongside him: Ubaldo Jiménez and Germán Márquez, a pair that also let their stuff stand out.

“I thought he had a really good fastball,” manager Bud Black said. “Arguably one of the best outings of his career. My message to him is he has a really good arm, he should be proud of his fastball and use it.

”When you pitch like that against a good offensive team, that says something.”

Black and Feltner worked on his focus and narrowed it in during spring training.

When the right-handed hurler passed his office, they’d parrot talking points — the manager implored him to let his high-velocity fastball and slider, all with movement, work. Don’t overcomplicate it the skipper said, be simple in a complex venue like Coors.

Black calls his pitch repertoire and arm a gift. But using it to skirt fundamentals, rather than in addition to them, has been the flaw that’s kept it from being seen regularly. No magic, just production.

He needs his team to do the same behind Feltner.

Michael Toglia’s second-career home run against a lefty was a building block. Brenton Doyle, after swing modifications in his own time this offseason, produced a home run too on the same night his Gold Glove honoring T-shirt was handed out to fans.

But throwing strikes and putting together good at-bats — not just in the three consecutive innings Colorado scored, but all nine — is a skill the Rockies are still trying to hone. Coors Field’s conditions and roller coaster nature complicate things, but they aren’t going away, they’ll just change as the year goes.

Simplification worked well for Feltner. It’s his team’s job to return the favor next time. 

Kris Bryant sits out with back soreness

Rockies first baseman Kris Bryant hit his first home run in Friday’s home opener, but was absent from Saturday’s lineup with back soreness.

It’s an ailment that crept up on the first baseman in Chicago, and he played through it. Black’s chosen route was a day off, rather than an injured-list stint from continued playtime. The leave is expected to be short-lived.

“He woke up with his back a little tight,” Black said. “It was my decision to play Toglia and sit Kris. This is truly day-to-day — little bit tight in Chicago, but he played through it. We don’t want to pick a scab here.

“I suspect he’ll be in there tomorrow.”

Bryant is 3-for-25 this season with 12 strikeouts.

Rays 8, Rockies 6

What happened: Ryan Feltner put together one of his best starts to date and helped alleviate pressure on a Rockies’ offense that found its footing quickly but was undone by another bullpen blunder.

On the mound: Feltner struck out a career-high 10 in six innings. Jake Bird, Tyler Kinley and Jalen Beeks each allowed multiple earned runs en route to blowing a 6-1 lead.

At the plate: Ryan McMahon went deep for a second consecutive game. Michael Toglia and Brenton Doyle also hit home runs as part of 11 Colorado hits.

What’s next: Tampa Bay Rays (RHP Ryan Pepiot, 0-1) at Colorado Rockies (RHP Dakota Hudson, 0-1) at 1:10 p.m. on Sunday at Coors Field (Rockies.TV).