Hoffman shines in Rockies’ win over Phillies
Ex-’Tope makes a case to stay in majors
PHILADELPHIA — Jeff Hoffman turned a spot start into a splendid audition for a more permanent role in Colorado’s rotation.
Hoffman struck out seven and tossed three-hit ball over seven innings to lead the Rockies to an 8-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.
Hoffman (2-0) also had his first big league hit and the National League-leading Rockies continued to cruise away from home. They are the best in the majors with a 16-7 road record and are 5-2 on this season-long 10-game road trip.
“That’s two wins toward going to winning the West and winning, hopefully, the World Series,” Hoffman said.
The 22-year-old-Hoffman, rated Colorado’s No. 2 prospect, made his second spot start of the season. He was needed because the Rockies played a doubleheader last week and went with Hoffman rather than use a starter on short rest. He’ll likely return to the minors but certainly impressed against the woeful Phillies. So what’s next for Hoffman? “Can’t tell you,” manager Bud Black said, smiling. “Sensitive information.”
Hoffman, the No. 9 overall pick in the 2014 draft, threw 99 pitches and flashed the command needed to establish himself as a future member of the rotation. He retired the first 11 batters of the game and struck out Maikel Franco with runners on first and third to end the fourth.
“He has the physical attributes to be a good one,” Black said. “There are some other boxes he has to check off.”
Mixing the occasional breaking stuff with a dominating fastball, Hoffman checked a box or two against the Phillies.
“I think they have some confidence in me now,” Hoffman said.
GIANTS 6, CUBS 4: In Chicago, Joe Panik hit his first career leadoff homer and doubled twice, helping San Francisco beat Chicago.
Brandon Belt also connected and Ty Blach pitched into the eighth inning in the first meeting between the teams since San Francisco was eliminated by Chicago in the NL Division Series last year. Panik, Belt and Justin Ruggiano each had two RBIs as the streaking Giants won for the eighth time in 10 games.
ASTROS 1, TIGERS 0: In Houston, Brad Peacock and three relievers combined for a one-hitter and Jose Altuve provided the offense with an RBI double to lead Houston to a win over Detroit.
Peacock was solid moving out of the bullpen to make a spot start for injured ace Dallas Keuchel. In his first start since September, Peacock allowed the lone hit and struck out eight in 4⅓ innings.
Chris Devenski (3-2) took over and pitched 2⅔ innings for the win before Will Harris pitched a scoreless eighth. Albuquerque’s Ken Giles struck out two in the ninth for his 12th save to allow the Astros to bounce back after being swept by the Indians over the weekend.
ANGELS 3, RAYS 2: In St. Petersburg, Fla., Jefry Marte scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in the seventh inning to help Los Angeles beat Tampa Bay.
The Angels, who have won
six of eight, pushed across the run without a hit in the seventh inning against Tampa Bay relievers Jumbo Diaz (0-3) and Ryne Stanek. After walking Mike Trout intentionally to load the bases with two out, Stanek threw a ball in the dirt while facing Albert Pujols, allowing Marte to score easily.
TWINS 14, ORIOLES 7: In Baltimore, Max Kepler homered and drove in four runs, Miguel Sano and Jorge Polanco each had a career-high four hits and Minnesota roared back to beat Baltimore.
Minnesota trailed 5-0 in the second inning and 6-2 entering the fifth before cranking up the offense against Ubaldo Jimenez and an ineffective Baltimore bullpen.
YANKEES 4, ROYALS 2: In New York, Didi Gregorius, Brett Gardner and Chris Carter homered, and New York once again downed Jason Vargas by beating Kansas City.
A reversed umpire’s call in the seventh inning kept the Yankees ahead and enabled Michael Pineda (5-2) to top Vargas for the second time in a week. The Royals, with the worst record in the AL, have lost five of seven.
REDS 5, INDIANS 1: In Cincinnati, Scott Feldman struck out a season-high nine while ending Cincinnati’s long stretch of ineffective starts, and Scott Schebler homered for the third straight game, leading Cincinnati to a victory over Cleveland.
The Reds took the opener of the annual intrastate series. The teams play two games in Cincinnati followed by two in Cleveland. The Indians had won their last four at Great American Ball Park. DIAMONDBACKS 5, WHITE
SOX 1: In Phoenix, Zack Greinke allowed one run on four hits and struck out 12 in 8⅔ innings as Arizona beat Chicago.
Daniel Descalso amd Paul Goldschmidt hit home runs for the Diamondbacks.
BRAVES 5, PIRATES 2: In Atlanta, Matt Adams hit a tworun homer in his second start since being traded to Atlanta, Ender Inciarte had a career-high five hits and the Braves beat Gerrit Cole and Pittsburgh.
Adams was acquired from St. Louis on Saturday as a fill-in for injured first baseman Freddie Freeman. Adams had two hits, including his fifth-inning homer high into the right-field seats for a 5-1 lead.