Rockies, GM Bridich decide to part ways

Jeff Bridich is stepping down as general manager of the Colorado Rockies, ending a tumultuous tenure that included two playoff appearances and a falling out with Nolan Arenado that ultimately led to the star third baseman’s offseason trade.

The Rockies announced Monday that the decision was a mutual agreement with Bridich, who was in his seventh season as GM. The team will appoint an interim general manager for the rest of the season.

Bridich joined the organization in 2004 and rose through the ranks, ultimately being named general manager in October 2014.

Under Bridich, the club made the playoffs as a wild card in 2017 and ’18. The team locked up Arenado — the face of the franchise — with a $260 million, eight-year deal in February 2019. But it didn’t take long for things to turn sour with Bridich and the front office. Arenado wasn’t pleased with the direction of a team that missed the postseason in ‘19 and again last season.

Arenado was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals on Feb. 1l. PHILLIES 2, CARDINALS 1 >> Zack Wheeler took a one-hit shutout into the ninth inning and Rhys Hoskins homered twice as Philadelphia beat host St. Louis.

It was Hoskins’ seventh career multi-homer game and second this season.

Wheeler (2-2) struck out nine and edged Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright in a classic pitchers’ duel that took just 2 hours, 22 minutes.

Wheeler retired his first 14 batters until Paul DeJong’s opposite-field single to right ended the streak in the fifth.

Wheeler was lifted after issuing a leadoff walk to Matt Carpenter in the ninth on his 114th pitch. Héctor Neris got the save, but not before Carpenter scored on a groundout by Dylan Carlson.

Wainwright (0-3) tossed a complete game on 107 pitches, allowing six hits and striking out eight.