Every time Nolan Arenado wins another award, he ships it back to his parents’ home in Lake Forest, Calif., for safe keeping. The practice is creating a quandary.
His folks are going to have to clear some more space in their home. Either that, or they’ll have to rent one of those storage units near the freeway.
Arenado, 26, on Wednesday was named National League player of the month for July. It was the second time he has earned the award. He also was honored in September 2015. Last week, the Rockies’ four-time Gold Glove third baseman was named NL player of the week.
“Awards don’t get old,” Arenado said. “Itap great that people appreciate the work I’ve put in. It means a lot, itap a good feeling.”
Arenado batted .389 (35-for-90) with 18 runs, six doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 30 RBIs over 22 games. He became the second Colorado player to win the award this season, following center fielder Charlie Blackmon, who was honored in May. It’s the 19th time in franchise history that a Rockie has won player of the month.
Among qualified NL hitters, Nolan finished July first in RBIs, second in batting average, third in slugging percentage, tied for third in home runs, and fourth in hits. On July 19th against San Diego at Coors Field, Arenado went 5-for-6 with three home runs, seven RBIs and four runs scored.
Arenado, who entered Wednesday night’s game against the New York Mets with a big-league best 95 RBIs, is a legitimate MVP candidate. Washington’s Bryce Harper, another strong candidate for MVP, finished behind Arenado for player of the month.
Asked if he’s currently at the best place of his career, Arenado answered: “So far itap been great, and itap a good feeling. But I honestly don’t feel comfortable saying I have put it all together. I still have two months (to go), so there are still plays I can make and damage to do. But I feel really good right now.
“I think part of the reason I’ve been doing good is that I’ve not been results oriented the last month. I’m just so focused on my play in the field that I just let whatever happens, happen.”
Holland hurt. There was a reason closer Greg Holland did not pitch in Colorado’s 5-4 victory over the Mets Tuesday night. The right-hander suffered a cut on his right index finger and was unable to grip the ball properly. Manager Bud Black said the cut was the result of a “kitchen accident,” adding that Holland is “day to day.”
“We are seeing how it progresses,” Black said when asked if Holland was available to pitch in Wednesday night’s game.
Footnotes. Outfield prospect David Dahl, who has yet to play this season with the Rockies, was likely headed to the seven-day, minor-league disabled list because of mid-back spasms, according to Black. Dahl, who is trying to come back from a stress reaction injury to bone in his rib cage, has been playing at Triple-A Albuquerque. … New Rockies catcher Jonathan Lucroy was out of the starting lineup again Wednesday. He suffered a sudden stomach ailment after batting practice Tuesday. Black said the upset stomach hit Lucroy “like a freight train.” Black is hopeful Lucroy can start Thursday afternoon’s game against the Mets. Colorado acquired Lucroy on Sunday in a trade with Texas.
Looking ahead
Mets RHP Rafael Montero (1-7, 5.56) at Rockies RHP German Marquez (9-4, 4.08), 1:10 p.m., no TV; 850 AM
Marquez, the rookie with the moving fastball and knee-buckling curve, has been the Rockies’ best pitcher over the last month. He has posted a 4-0 record with a 3.25 ERA over his last four starts. In his last outing, at Washington, he retired the first 16 batters he faced and ended up pitching seven innings, allowing two runs on three hits with no walks and a career-high 10 strikeouts. He has not allowed the Coors Field beast to devour him, going 5-2 with a 4.29 ERA in eights starts in LoDo, striking out 44 and walking only 14. Montero, part of the Mets’ makeshift rotation in the wake of injuries, was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on June 14. In eight games (five starts) since getting called up, he’s put up a 4.14 ERA. His only previous appearance against the Rockies was a start on Sept. 10, 2014 at Citi Field. He earned his first career victory in a 2-0 Mets win, pitching 5 ⅓ innings, allowing three hits while striking out seven and walking four.
Friday: Phillies RHP Vince Velasquez (2-6, 4.91) at Rockes RHP Jon Gray (3-2, 5.52), 6:40 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
Saturday: Phillies RHP Nick Pivetta (4-6, 5.42) at Rockies LHP Kyle Freeland (11-7, 3.71), 6:10 p.m., AT&T SportsNet
Sunday: Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (8-7, 3.16) at Rockies RHP Jeff Hoffman (6-3, 5.38), 1:10 p.m
