Vintage CarGo racking up the hits

DENVER -- Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez claims there's no better feeling, saying, "I don't think it can get any better than that when you go foul pole to foul pole."

He did just that with his four hits -- including two homers -- on Thursday night, peppering three hits to left field and tacking on a blast to right for good measure. His borderline insane tear in the season's second half reached new levels in the Rockies' 11-3 win over the Giants at Coors Field, where he drove in another four runs.

CarGo reached a career high in homers (35) and surpassed teammate Nolan Arenado -- who also went deep, with No. 34 -- for the National League home run lead. Coupled with Wednesday's two-homer, seven-RBI performance, Gonzalez tied Larry Walker (1999) for the most RBIs in franchise history over a two-game span (11).

Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Gonzalez also joined Jason Giambi (2005), Barry Bonds (1999), Mark McGwire (1998), Sammy Sosa (1998) and Andre Dawson (1987) as the only players to have back-to-back multihomer games twice in one season. In addition to Wednesday and Thursday, Gonzalez had two straight two-homer games on July 26-27.

"We've seen stuff like this before, but I don't know [if it's been] at this level," manager Walt Weiss said. "It's pretty impressive what he's done, especially recently. We know all about the talent. When he gets rolling, it's something to see."

Video: SF@COL: Weiss on CarGo finding his stroke

Gonzalez's journey to this impressive stretch hasn't been without massive -- and well-documented -- obstacles. He ended the 2014 season on the disabled list after undergoing knee surgery, then hovered around .200 for the first seven weeks of this season, and trade rumors swirled as the Rockies' record worsened.

But those talks all but disappeared as Gonzalez has once again returned to vintage form over the last three months.

"It's not like his skills were diminishing," Weiss said. "When he goes out there and does his work, all the tools show up in a big way. It was a matter of time.

"He's been a pro. He's in a good place -- mentally, emotionally, physically. I think he's very comfortable, in a good way. I see him leading more. He's just in a really good place right now."

Gonzalez's use of both fields on Thursday was yet another example of his versatility and overall offensive prowess.

That makes hitting all the more simpler.

"I just go to the plate with no worries," Gonzalez said.