Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado fields a ground ball in the third inning against the Pirates on Friday at Coors Field. (Chris Schneider, The Associated Press)
Nolan Arenado was benched by Rockies manager Walt Weiss on Friday in the fourth inning after he ran slow through a groundout against the Pirates at Coors Field.
Arenado’s check swing in the fourth went about 10 feet, a frustrating swing after he already grounded out in the second inning. But this one was bobbled by Pirates pitcher Charlie Morton and Arenado had a chance to beat out the throw.
But with Morton behind him, Arenado didn’t see it. And he ran through first at less than full pace.
Weiss was not happy about it. He yanked Arenado from the game and inserted Charlie Culberson at third base to start the fifth.
“We talk a lot about playing the game hard and playing the game right. And how important that is,” Weiss said. “Especially when you’ve been getting your ass kicked for awhile. It’s even more important then. It’s imperative.
“I just felt that Nolan didn’t meet the standard at that point. Now, Nolan’s a great kid. And he’s a great player. That’s how I saw it.”
Arenado finished 0-for-2 at the plate and had four defensive put-outs from third.
Tags: Charlie Culberson, Nolan Arenado, Pittsburgh Pirates, Walt Weiss
