Nolan Arenado wasn’t about to let the Rockies 2015 season go down without a fight in the final series at Coors Field.
With the Dodgers in town with a magic number to clinch the NL West at just three games (and San Francisco playing in Oakland), it appeared likely that Colorado was going to have back-to-back teams celebrating playoff berths on their turf. But Arenado almost single-handedly stepped up and didn’t let that happen.
His defense led the way on Friday night. He put the bat to use on Saturday with a grand slam. Both resulted in Rockies wins.
On Sunday he had the bat and the glove working.
He set the tone early, robbing Chase Utley of a hit. With the shift on, Arenado ranged to his left and made a twirling play to deprive Utley.
Video courtesy of MLB.com.
He extended his career high in RBI and logged his first five RBI game in the Major Leagues on Sunday to cap off a three-game sweep of the Dodgers. The most important of those RBI came with one out in the fourth when Arenado hit a go-ahead three-run home run off Alex Wood to give the Rockies a 6-4 lead.
Video courtesy of MLB.com.
Colorado wouldn’t look back. The Rockies exploded for 15 hits on the day en route to a 12-5 win and a sweep of the Dodgers, who now travel to San Francisco with their magic number stalled out at two.
The home run was Arenado’s 41st of the year, which pulls him back even for the lead in the National League, tied with Bryce Harper. Arenado’s 126 RBI are also best in the NL, 21 more than Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt.
Following an off day on Monday, Colorado travels to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks for a three game series beginning Tuesday. They will finish the year at San Francisco with a three-game set.