Arenado having walks competition with CarGo

DENVER — Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado couldn’t have thought it possible that he’d receive so much attention for not swinging.

Sundays’ 12-10 loss to the Dodgers was crazy in many respects, one of which was Arenado’s career-high three unintentional walks in a game. He has nine walks this season — a height he didn’t reach last year until May 26. Of course, you don’t get runs for walks, and Arenado did well enough at the things that put runs on the board — 42 home runs and 130 RBIs. In the eyes of some stat-oriented folks, the fact Arenado doesn’t walk much downgrades him.

Although the interest in his walks elicited a bemused eye-roll and a sardonic, “Great topic,” Arenado had fun with the subject, and with teammate Carlos Gonzalez.

“The great part about it is my whole goal in walking is to beat CarGo in walks,” Arenado said. “He’s mad at me. He makes fun of me about how I never walk, so all I want to do is beat him this year. I go up to him and go, ‘I’ve got nine now.'”

Gonzalez screamed in mock agony when it was noted that he had just five going into Monday’s game against the Pirates. “He’s beating me by four right now,” Gonzalez said.

In all seriousness, Arenado’s approach is one that errs on the side of aggression, so …

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