The Colorado Rockies gave Jeff Hoffman a 2-0 lead on Saturday at Wrigley Field before he had even thrown a pitch. But in the bottom of the first inning the Cubs had a chance to get both runs back.
“We jumped out to the lead, and there was just a moment of anxiety, I think, with Jeff out there,” Rockies manager Bud Black said postgame. “A little bit of body language of fidgety-ness.”
Hoffman walked the second batter of the game, reigning NL MVP Kris Bryant, on four straight pitches. He had runners on second and third with one out after Anthony Rizzo singled, then advanced on a throw.
Two batters later, Hoffman was free of the trouble, and free to cruise to his fourth win in four starts.
“I think once he got the strikeout to [Ben] Zobrist, that calmed him, and then he got [Jason] Heyward [to ground out] and that sort of set him free so to speak,” Black said.
For the next five innings, Hoffman would hold the Cubs hitless and strike out another seven. He was lifted in the seventh inning after allowing three straight singles (one of which would come around to score), but none of that should diminish from what was an outstanding day for the rookie.
“He was composed and really pumping strikes,” Black said. “Locating the fastball. Landing the hook (curveball). And then mixed in a couple changeups. So, it was really, really well-pitched.
Beyond that first inning trouble, Hoffman was battling the unique afternoon weather pattern at Wrigley Field – something Black acknowledged.
“In a day where the wind was blowing out. I’ve been here enough in these conditions to know what type of games can happen here and Jeff didn’t let it happen, either did the rest of our bullpen.
With the 9-1 victory, Colorado has now won seven straight games and sits atop the National League with a 41-23 record. They are 24-10 on the road. The Rockies will go for the series sweep of the Cubs on Sunday afternoon.
