NL-leading Rockies cruise on road

PHILADELPHIA — Jeff Hoffman struck out seven and tossed three-hit ball over seven innings to lead the Rockies past the Phillies 8-1 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 team in the majors with a 16-7 road record and are 5-2 on this seasonlong 10-game trip.

The 22-year-old-Hoffman, rated the Rockies’ 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 Phillies.

The tarp covered the field until 30 minutes or so before first pitch, the sixth straight game the Rockies failed to take batting practice.

No worries. Nolan Arenado hit a two-run homer and the Rockies scored four runs off Phillies starter Jerad Eickhoff (0-5).

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,” manager Bud Black said. “There are some other boxes he has to check off.”

Hoffman checked a box or two against the Phillies.

But a lot of pitchers are sharp this season against the struggling Phillies, who have lost 18 of 22.

“There’s more talent on this team than what we’ve shown,” GM Matt Klentak said. “We’ll pull out of it. That’s what talented players will do.”