ARENADO NAMED NL’S PLAYER OF THE MONTH
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 for September 2015. Last week, the Rockies’ fourtime Gold Glove third baseman was named NL player of the week.
“Awards don’t get old,” Arenado said. “It’s great that people appreciate the work I’ve put in. It means a lot, it’s 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. Center fielder Charlie Blackmon 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 19, 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 whether he’s currently at the best place of his career, Arenado answered: “So far it’s been great, and it’s 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 whether 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 probably headed to the seven-day, minorleague disabled list because of midback 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.