ARLINGTON, Texas — Throughout spring training, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado preached staying within himself and not forcing things at the plate. That strategy appears to be working just fine.
Arenado tied the club record for a hitting streak, matching teammate Michael Cuddyer at 27 in Wednesday’s win at Texas. He set a new standard at 28 after going 1-for-4 in Thursday’s 5-0 loss to the Rangers.
“I’m just trying to hit the ball hard,” he said. “I’m going to be saying that until the year is over, and every year.
“It’s always nice to have an opportunity to do things with people on base. I guess it puts a little pressure on the pitcher, too, when you’ve got people on base.”
Arenado, 23, is hitting .360 (40-for-111) with 11 doubles, four home runs and 19 RBIs during the streak. Albert Pujols is the last player 23 or younger with a hitting streak of at least 27.
Arenado and Cuddyer are the eighth teammates in MLB history with hitting streaks of at least 27 games in either consecutive or the same seasons.