Diamondbacks welcome Escobar’s power surge
DENVER – Eduardo Escobar does not have an explanation for his sudden power surge. He offers no backstory about a swing change or some realization of what pitches he can drive. And he objects to the notion that home runs have become a bigger part of his game.
“I don’t go to the plate thinking about hitting a home run,” Escobar said. “I’m not a home run guy.”
The numbers are beginning to tell a different story. His drive to right-center field in the third inning on Tuesday night was his 13th of the season, putting him on pace for 38 homers. That would shatter last year’s career-high of 23. Even in a league filled with players on career-best home run paces, Escobar’s is attentiongrabbing.
“I just think he’s a good hitter who has found the launch angle that’s going to allow him to get a little bit more carry in certain counts and it’s resulted in more home runs,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “I think he’s got a very compact, balanced swing and that can yield good results. But I think it starts with him being a really good hitter. I think he’s good bat-to-ball and has good handeye coordination, and he’s looking to do damage on every pitch.”
DENVER – Jeff Hoffman pitched five solid innings and beat out an infield single to drive in a key run as the Colorado Rockies beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 on Wednesday night.
Brendan Rodgers had a two-run single and Trevor Story added three hits for the Rockies, who won their season-high fourth in a row at home and clinched a series win in the fourgame set.
Carson Kelly homered and singled to drive in two runs for the Diamondbacks.
Adam Jones also went deep and rookie first baseman Kevin Cron doubled twice and scored a run.
Hoffman (1-1) allowed three runs and seven hits, helping the Rockies get back to .500 at 27-27. He struck out six and walked two.
Scott Oberg got three outs for his first save.
Robbie Ray (4-2) gave up five runs – four earned – in 42⁄3 innings. He walked four and struck out six as his fourgame winning streak ended.
Arizona pulled within a run in the fifth on Jones’ two-out solo shot off Hoffman into the left field bleachers.
Colorado added a run in the bottom half on reliever Stefan Crichton’s errant pickoff throw to first, which allowed Nolan Arenado to score from third. But the Diamondbacks again got within a run on Kelly’s homer in the sixth off reliever Seunghwan Oh.
Trailing 2-1 going into the bottom of the fourth, the Rockies drew three consecutive walks from Ray to start the inning and all three scored.
Rodgers singled to drive in a pair of runs and Hoffman had a two-out bunt single, scoring Ian Desmond from third as the Rockies moved in front 4-2.
Trainer’s room
Rockies: RHP Wade Davis is expected to throw a bullpen in the next day or two, his first since going on the 10-day injured list a week ago with a left oblique strain. …
LHP Chris Rusin, who began the season on the 10-day injured list with a mid-back strain, continued his rehab assignment at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he threw one scoreless inning with two strikeouts. It was his eighth rehab appearance.