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Bryant hits blast as Cubs spoil prospect’s debut
- Updated: August 21, 2016
DENVER — The Cubs spoiled Rockies rookie Jeff Hoffman’s Major League debut — tagging him for seven runs in four-plus innings — in a 9-2 victory Saturday night at Coors Field. The loss ends the Rockies’ three-game win streak.
After three clean innings to start his career, Hoffman, 23, was roughed up by the second-best offense in the National League. The first four batters reached in the fourth, and Kris Bryant and Ben Zobrist plated them on a single and a double along with Miguel Montero’s two-run single. Hoffman couldn’t record an out in the fifth and was removed after Bryant’s three-run homer, which Statcast™ projected at 469 feet. Bryant broke a tie with Colorado’s Nolan Arenado for the NL lead (31).
“There’s still a lot of season left, but for me, I just kind of went into this year working on making a little more contact, and I think having that approach has allowed me to tap into more power,” Bryant said. “I’ve always been the type to hit the ball in the air and hit home runs, so if I’m going to be able to make more contact, I just think more home runs are going to result from that.”
Hoffman was banged up for seven hits with two strikeouts and one walk. He was removed after 77 pitches, which is one pitch more than he has thrown in any of his last five Minor League outings.
“I wasn’t getting ahead as much as I should have been, which opens up a whole world of opportunities for guys in the box,” Hoffman said.
The Rockies could not touch Cubs starter Mike Montgomery, who was making his first start for Chicago, for most of the game. He carried a no-hitter into the fifth and was removed after Nick Hundley’s home run broke up the bid with one out in the inning. Montgomery struck out five in 4 1/3 innings but was not eligible for the win. Trevor Cahill (3-3) worked the final 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on four hits and a walk with four strikeouts.
“We never really figured out Montgomery, first time seeing him,” Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. “He’s got a good fastball-breaking ball mix. I felt like we expanded a little bit for him, but it looks like there’s some deception.”
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