Nolan Arenado homers three times, tying Rockies record in 18-4 rout of Padres

Nolan Arenado produced one of the greatest offensive games in Colorado Rockies history, hitting three home runs, going 5 for 6 and driving in seven runs in an 18-4 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. 

Arenado had a chance for the first four-home run game in Rockies history - and just the 18th in major league history - but Padres reliever Kirby Yates retired him on a fly to left in the eighth inning. 

"I was trying to hit a homer. That's probably why I didn't," Arenado said. "The at-bats before that, I was just trying to hit the ball hard and stay on top of the baseball. They went out."

Still, the damage was extensive: 5 for 6, four runs scored, seven runs batted in. Arenado's first home run came off Padres starter Clayton Richard, and the final two off reliever Kevin Quackenbush. 

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Perhaps not surprisingly given the hitter-friendly atmosphere of Denver's Coors Field, none of Arenado's superlatives were club records. He became the 12th Rockie to homer three times in a game, the first since Todd Helton in 2004. His seven RBI were one shy of the club record of eight, last accomplished by Matt Holliday in 2005, and they equaled Arenado's career high.

And Andres Galarraga remains the club leader in hits in a game, with six on July 3, 1995, Coors' inaugural season.

Arenado now has 21 home runs this season.