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If he keeps playing like this, other teams broadcast are going to have to learn how to pronounce "Nolan Arenado"
3-3, with 2 RBI and a home run. But it was perhaps his one plate appearance that didn't end in a hit that was most promising when projecting into the young third baseman's future. Purple Row community member DomP put it nicely:
"Nolan just worked an 8 or 9 pitch walk which included just missing a homer foul and spoiling a couple of pitches at 3-2. Never seen him do anything quite like that."
Nolan was in the middle of some...interesting...offense from the Rockies in the first inning. Arenado and Dickerson had reached base with singles when something odd happened. According to MLB Gameday:
Drew Stubbs singles on a ground ball to shortstop Darwin Barney. Corey Dickerson scores. Nolan Arenado out at 3rd, shortstop Darwin Barney to third baseman Luis Valbuena to catcher Welington Castillo to third baseman Luis Valbuena.
Put more clearly by Purple Row member Chacinisthefuture:
"Stubbs with an infield hit. Dickerson scores from 2nd, Arenado thrown out at third. Scored 6-5-2-5."
Despite the questionable base running, it's hard to be anything but excited about the tremendous progress Arenado has shown with his offense this spring.
Troy Renck summed up Arenado's day and spring thus far in this tweet:
When will "Is Arenado an all-star? replace "When will he be called up?" as my most asked question on Twitter. #Rockies
— Troy Renck (@TroyRenck) March 11, 2014
The potential all-star to be was in the middle of some more conventional scoring in the third inning, though it was interesting to see ole square wheels get a triple. Arenado's three-bagger was followed by a Kyle Parker home run. Parker, who is turning heads with his power numbers lately, also played at first base today giving a glimpse into his possible future there.
It should be exciting for Rockies fans that Kyle Parker homered off a legitimate big-league pitcher.
Michael McKenry continued the good inning with an RBI double and he was singled in by Josh Rutledge who is doing a decent job playing catch up with the bat after missing some time early.
Although Jordan Pacheco would also single in the inning, the scoring was done at four.
Kent Matthes continued an impressive spring with the bat on a three-run home run in the seventh.
The teammates Wheeler (Ryan and Tim) are not going down without a fight. Ryan Wheeler hopes to make the 25 man roster even if his left-handedness off the bench is redundant. Tim Wheeler risked becoming the forgotten prospect; once thought of very highly in the Rockies system his performance has not demanded a call to the big boy club.
It seems every time I look up Tim is getting on base this spring (he is hitting .313) and was on again after a walk for a two-run blast from Ryan.
Some shady organization you can follow on Twitter @PurpleRow put it all together in this lovely word pie:
How about the #Rockies' production at the hot corner today? 4-for-4, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB for Arenado/Wheeler.
— Purple Row (@PurpleRow) March 11, 2014
On the pitching side of things, Jorge de la Rosa had a very nice outing after having struggled so far this spring. He worked three innings, giving up only two hits, zero runs, walking one and striking out one. Jordan Lyles replaced de la Rosa and matched him in innings pitched, hits, and runs.
Impressively for someone who isn't known for dominating stuff, Lyles struck out four and walked nobody, bringing his spring ERA to 1.13. Mostly meaningless, but better than having it at 8.95, for sure.
LaTroy Hawkins worked a clean seventh.
Rex Brothers got into a little trouble in the eighth when he immediately walked Darwin Barney and gave up a single to super-prospect Albert Amora who is hitting a spicy .556 this spring. Brothers escaped the inning without giving up the shutout.
Chris Martin (no the other Chris Martin) induced a ground out, then walked Brett Jackson only to get Logan Watkins to ground into a mercifully game-ending double play for the Chicago Cubs.