Nolan Arenado on fire as Rockies pummel Padres

Los Angeles: Nolan Arenado’s five hits and three home runs fuelled the Colorado Rockies’ impressive 18-4 rout of the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

The Rockies’ third baseman came back strong after a game off, producing a career high for hits and homers and matching his personal best with seven runs-batted-in.

His first home run was part of a six-run fourth inning that also included homers from Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story.

He homered in the fifth and again in the sixth, when he produced a three-run blast that put the Rockies up 17-4.

Arenado’s big game gave him 21 home runs for the season and a major league-leading 80 runs-batted in.

He came to the plate in the eighth with a chance at a fourth home run in the game. He ran the count to 3-2 before lining out to left field.

The Rockies, who lost 15 of 20 games from June 21-July 15, won their fourth straight game.

They have scored 49 runs in their current winning streak while surrendering 21.