MLB: In spot start, Isotopes’ Hoffman earns victory for Rockies.
Albuquerque pitcher strikes out seven, allows three hits over seven innings for second career win
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 after being called up from the Albuquerque Isotopes. 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.”
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,” 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.
But a lot of pitchers are sharp this season against the struggling Phillies. Philadelphia opened a seven-game homestand with its 18th loss in the past 22 games.
“There’s more talent on this team than what we’ve shown,” Phillies general manager Matt Klentak said. “We’ll pull out of it. We will. That’s what talented players will do. I’m not going to tell the fans they shouldn’t be frustrated. We’ve gone through a tough stretch.”
Charlie Blackmon hit a tworun double and DJ LeMahieu had an RBI single in the third for a 3-0 lead that was all the run support Hoffman needed. Arenado’s 12th homer of the season came in a four-run ninth that blew the game open.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Phillies: Triple-A second baseman Jesmuel Valentin could miss the rest of the season with a separated shoulder that will require surgery. Valentin, son of former major leaguer Jose Valentin, was originally hurt in winter ball and recently aggravated the injury.
LINEUP SHAKEUP
Michael Saunders (batting .232) was dropped from the middle of the order to eighth. Saunders, an AllStar with Toronto last season, had only four homers and 15 RBIs in a disappointing first two months with Philadelphia. Klentak supported manager Pete Mackanin’s decision to bump Saunders in the order. “At the same time, we still have plenty of confidence that Michael’s going to get himself out of this,” Klentak said. The Phillies still had only three hits for the second straight game.
Klentak said there was no thought of moving scuffling starter Vince Velasquez into the bullpen. Klentak also said pitching coach Bob McClure’s job is safe.
BALL THREE
Neither team walked.