NewsCook takes win streak into holiday start
Colorado (42-37) vs. Arizona (31-49), 6:10 p.m. MT
By Cheng Sio / MLB.com
07/04/09 1:43 AM ET
DENVER -- When Aaron Cook made his way to the big leagues, he used to look for his father in the stands before most starts. Garry Cook, 53, is in town to watch his son pitch on Saturday, the Fourth of July, against the D-backs in the middle game of this three-game set. "When I was a little bit younger, it was a little more nerve-racking because I would always look up in the stands trying to find him," Cook said. "But now, I'm kind of over that." Cook said he stopped searching for his father by his second year in the big leagues once he became comfortable with the Major League setting, which includes "the third deck" -- a term former manager Buddy Bell once told Cook. "It's like the third deck factor," Cook said. "You start to look up there and it's like the stadium never ends." What Cook also hopes doesn't end is his five-game winning streak. Cook hasn't lost since June 1 against the Astros, and with a win, he will tie his career-best six-game winning streak set during his All-Star season last year. As Cook's sinker and ERA (from 4.94 to 3.77 since in last five starts) continues to nose-dive positively, his confidence has grown. Case in point was his last start on June 28 against the Athletics. The Rockies staked Cook to a 3-0 lead, but Cook yielded two ground balls past shortstop Troy Tulowitzki for singles in the sixth inning. With the tying run headed toward the plate, Cook felt that if he continued to execute his heavy sinker, a third grounder wouldn't get past the infield. Three pitches later, Cook forced Ryan Sweeney into a 6-4-3 double play to end the threat and the inning. "I was keeping the ball on the ground," Cook said. "When I keep the ball on the ground, I give myself a chance to get outs. If I get two ground balls that get through the infield, I'm pretty comfortable that I know I can get another ground ball and chances are, one of our infielders are going to get to it." Pitching matchupCOL: RHP Aaron Cook (8-3, 3.77 ERA)
Cook is making a case for his second successive All-Star Game appearance. He is 5-0 with a 1.75 ERA in his past five starts, and his five wins in June led the National League. In going eight-plus innings and holding the Athletics to one run during a 3-1 victory on Sunday, Cook used his four-seam fastball against the left-handers in the lineup and had more fly-ball outs (10) than ground-ball outs (nine). This is the first time Cook will face the D-backs since Opening Day, when he gave up six runs and seven hits in a 2 1/3-inning pratfall at Chase Field. ARI: RHP Yusmeiro Petit (0-3, 8.03 ERA)
Petit, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since May 9 with a strained right shoulder, recently completed a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno. In his last outing with the Aces, he pitched three innings and allowed three runs (two earned) and five hits. He was 0-1 with a 6.89 ERA in five starts for Reno. He takes the spot of Billy Buckner, who was sent down on Saturday. Tidbits
Right-hander Manuel Corpas, who has been on the disabled list since June 20 with bone spurs on his pitching elbow, threw long toss beyond 120 feet on Friday. He will throw a 25-pitch bullpen Saturday. "As of right now, things are looking pretty good," manager Jim Tracy said. ... The sellout crowd of 49,026 on Friday was the Rockies' second sellout of the season. They drew 49,427 in the home opener on April 10 against the 2008 World Series champion Phillies. The Rockies currently own a season-best six-game home winning streak. ... Rockies starters have pitched at least seven innings and have yielded two runs or fewer in five consecutive starts. Joel Peralta became the first Rockies reliever to throw a pitch since Monday night's 4-2 13-inning loss against the Dodgers. ... Dexter Fowler hit his 18th double Friday, tying him with Matt Holliday for most first-half two-baggers by a Rockies rookie. ... Todd Helton hit his 492nd career double and is eight shy of becoming the 49th player in Major League history with 500. Tickets
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• Sunday: Rockies (Ubaldo Jimenez, 6-7, 3.75) vs. Diamondbacks (Dan Haren, 7-5, 2.19), 1:10 p.m. MT
• Monday: Rockies (Jason Marquis, 10-5, 3.87) vs. Nationals (Craig Stammen, 1-3, 5.44), 6:40 p.m. MT
• Tuesday: Rockies (Jason Hammel, 5-4, 3.90) vs. Nationals (Jordan Zimmermann, 3-3, 4.52), 6:40 p.m. MT
Cheng Sio is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
