San Diego – With AC/DC’s “Hell’s Bells” blaring, Padres closer Trevor Hoffman strutted to the mound Tuesday night to face the heart of the Rockies’ order. He promptly set down Todd Helton, Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday in order to preserve the Padres’ 5-4 victory.
It was Hoffman’s 37th save of the season and 473rd of his career, leaving him just five saves shy of all-time leader Lee Smith.
“He’s one of the fiercest competitors I’ve seen,” said Helton, who is 12-for-20 (.600) with one homer and three doubles against the closer. “I think he would be just fine even without a song, but it is kind of cool.”
Atkins, who has hit Hoffman reasonably well (.286), said it takes discipline to hit Hoffman’s diabolic changeup.
“You are going to have to get three hits to beat him, because he won’t beat himself,” Atkins said. “His changeup is so deceptive, so hard to pick up.”
ON SECOND THOUGHT: Rockies manager Clint Hurdle has seen enough from Kaz Matsui to know he belongs at second base, not shortstop. Now he wants to see how much pop is in Matsui’s bat. “He’s got all the skills he needs to play second,” Hurdle said. “Offensively, we are still evaluating him. But we think he’s got the ability to hit from line to line, and his speed is an element we haven’t had at the top of the order.”
FOOTNOTE: Rookie reliever Ramon Ramirez has been nominated by the Rockies for the annual Roberto Clemente Award, presented to the major-league player who exemplifies baseball, sportsmanship and community involvement.
