PHOENIX -- If triples are the domain of players who can run, how did Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado put his atop anyone's three-bagger category?
Arenado, who if he were a scout would rate his speed at "below below-average," tripled inside the right-field foul line off Archie Bradley in the seventh inning of Friday night's 6-3 victory over the D-backs.
It was his fourth triple of June, which was the most in the Majors, and tied for the most in Rockies history during June. A Rockies player has hit four June triples four times, the latest being Carlos Gonzalez in 2013.
For the season, Arenado has five triples -- one shy of the six he posted a year ago.
Arenado, whose defense and power amaze fans and could get him into the starting lineup the 2017 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard (rosters will be announced Sunday), expressed surprise when he learned he made triples history. He then wondered about the mitigating factors, since three of the four -- one during his cycle on June 18 against the Giants --- occurred at Coors Field.
"I think the gaps in Denver are big," Arenado said. "Obviously, I got one on the road here. It's just a matter of placing the ball in the right spot, and hopefully those outfielders bobble the ball and give me a chance."
But Arenado copped to some skill. On Friday's triple, he barely came out of the batter's box because he thought the ball would land foul. But he read D-backs right fielder David Peralta properly and scampered to third.
"When I run, I watch," Arenado said. "I don't feel I need to look at Stu [Cole, the third base coach]. I'm not running fast enough for that.
"I think I'm a good baserunner because I can read things. I watch how balls are being played."