Billups takes his name out of consideration
Rookie Raimel Tapia DENVER — finished a single shy of the cycle, Charlie Blackmon lined a solo shot after it was announced he would participate in the All-Star Home Run Derby, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-3 Monday night.
Tapia’s homer in the sixth broke a tie game as the Rockies returned home following a 1-8 trip.
Right-hander Jeff Hoffman (5-1) nearly collected as many hits at the plate (two) as he surrendered on the mound (four). He went seven effective innings, with his only hiccup back-to-back homers by Scooter Gennett and Joey Votto in the sixth. Hoffman’s run-scoring double in the second was his first major league RBI.
Hoffman turned the ball over to the bullpen, where Jake McGee pitched the eighth and recently named All-Star Greg Holland threw a perfect ninth for his 27th save in 28 chances.
Luis Castillo (0-1) went 5⅔ innings and allowed four runs. He also struck out eight.
Tapia filled in for left fielder Ian Desmond, who went on the disabled list with a strained right calf. Tapia had a triple in the second, double in the third and a homer in the sixth that just cleared the fence in right field. He had a chance for the cycle in the eighth but struck out.
Blackmon hit his 18th homer of the season in the fourth. He’s set to join a Home Run Derby field that includes Miami slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who will defend his title in his home ballpark.