DENVER -- The Rockies jumped all over the Padres in the first few innings of Colorado's 18-4 win on Wednesday at Coors Field, largely thanks to Nolan Arenado.
After just his fourth day off on Tuesday, Arenado went 5-for-6 with three home runs that came in three straight innings. His first home run was part of a six-run fourth inning that also included homers from Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story, his second came in the fifth and his third blast was a three-run shot that gave the Rockies a 17-4 lead in the sixth.
"Obviously with any game like that, you always feel pretty good," Arenado said. "It seemed like [Padres starter Clayton Richard] got in a little bit of trouble early, and just didn't seem like Clayton. He's actually a pretty tough pitcher to face."
Arenado's five hits set a new career high, while his seven RBIs matched his previous best.

Like any player, Arenado doesn't like taking days off, but his numbers when he returns are astronomical. Overall this season, Arenado is 14-for-24 on days after not starting, with six runs scored, four home runs and 13 RBIs. This includes a May 9 doubleheader against the Cubs, in which Arenado played both games -- going 3-for-8 with a double -- after not starting on May 7 vs. the D-backs.
"The last off-day we gave him, he did the same thing, he hit a big three-run homer," manager Bud Black said. "We'll have to look at that a little closer, but we don't wanna give him every other day off."
Arenado sat out Tuesday's 9-7 win over the Padres after taking an 0-for-5 on Monday. Though Arenado's Wednesday afternoon began less imposingly, his two RBI singles in the first two innings helped calm his nerves.

"The anxiety doesn't kick in when you have two hits already, you're already feeling pretty decent," Arenado said. "I was very happy to get a couple knocks to start the game, and they're RBIs, too."
Now with one of the best performances of his career in the rearview mirror, Arenado said he doesn't want to take another day off this season.
"It's not easy with the schedule, but we have more days off in the second half than we did in the first," Arenado said. "So my goal is to take no more days unless, as I told [the coaches], 'If you look at me in the face and you tell me that I need one, then I will, but until then, no more days off.'"