He had blood dripping from his head, but Nolan Arenado was all smiles on Sunday afternoon. The 26-year-old third baseman delivered one of the biggest home runs of his career, propelling Colorado to a dramatic 7-5, come-from-behind victory over the San Francisco Giants. But that was only part of the story.
The home run also completed a four-game sweep of the Giants. It also helped keep the Rockies atop the National League West. And it was the last hit Arenado needed to complete the cycle.
Arenado and his Rockies teammates were so elated with the home run, and the win, that the hero suffered a cut above his left eye celebrating the three-run blast.
Take a look at these photos, taken by Chris Humphries for our photo partner USA Today Sports Images, of how Arenado’s historic at-bat (and subsequent bloody forehead) progressed, from swing to celebration.
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits a walk off three run home run to complete the cycle during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) hits a walk off three run home run to complete the cycle during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) reacts after hitting a walk off three run home run to complete the cycle during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates after hitting a walk off three run home run to complete the cycle during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk off three run home run to complete the cycle during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk off three run home run to complete the cycle during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates with teammates after hitting a walk off thee run home run to complete the cycle during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) points to a cut on his eye he sustained while celebrating with teammates after hitting a walk off three run home run to complete the cycle against the San Francisco Giants during the ninth inning at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) celebrates after hitting a walk off three run home run to complete the cycle during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 18, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado (28) is dunked with water after hitting a walk off three run home run to complete the cycle during the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports