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. 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 two-run 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.
