Amazing ninth ends losing skid for Padres

Hoffman escapes bases-loaded jam CINCINNATI – When Trevor Hoffman looks back on the more exciting moments of his decorated career, he can recall the steamy night in Ohio when he escaped after the Reds loaded the bases with none out. Maybe Hoffman someday will take up hang gliding or bungy jumping to try to capture the same adrenaline rush that the 40-year-old experienced last night inside the Reds' bandbox of a ballpark. “It was up there,” Hoffman said of his heart rate, “but you try not to let them see you sweat. You definitely don't want to lose composure.” As poised as Reds hitters were anxious, Hoffman responded to three consecutive singles by getting two swinging strikeouts around a pop-up, and, voilà, walked off with 6-4 victory that ended the team's six-game losing streak. “He had it all along,” teammate Greg Maddux... [read full story]