Aaron Cook bought himself some quality time at home Monday night.
Mixing his trusty sinker with a sneaky slider, the right-hander handcuffed the Milwaukee Brewers for eight innings, leading the Rockies to a thrifty 4-2 victory.
It was the Rockies’ 1,000th victory in franchise history, and at 2 hours, 6 minutes, the fastest nine- inning game in Coors Field history.
“I guess I can go spend some time with my family,” Cook said after his first home victory since beating Toronto on May 19.
Cook allowed two runs on just four hits, outdueling Milwaukee all-star Chris Capuano.
The Rockies, powered by back-to-back homers in the third from Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday, gained half a game on the idle San Diego Padres and sit just four games out of first place in the National League West. It is the Rockies’ smallest deficit this late in the season since 1997.
The Rockies, who didn’t acquire any additional offensive firepower before Monday’s trade deadline, are counting on their strong starting pitching to keep them in the race as the dog days of summer give way to September colors. Cook did his part in record time.
“I like to go out there and work quick,” Cook said. “It was one of those nights when I actually had stuff working, which is a delightful change after my last couple of starts.”
He lost both of those, and was decidedly off his game in a July 21 start at Arizona in which he lasted just 4 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on 11 hits. A frustrated Cook figured that hitters were waiting for his sinker – his money pitch – so he altered his basic strategy.
“He threw a lot of sinkers, but he kept us off-balance with his (slider), so you couldn’t sell out to his sinker,” Milwaukee shortstop Bill Hall said.
That’s exactly how Cook planned it.
Colorado had lost 11 of Cook’s past 12 starts entering Monday’s game, in large part because its offense failed to show up most days he pitched. That wasn’t a problem Monday. Cook received offensive support quickly and efficiently.
Jamey Carroll opened the bottom of the first with a double, and Clint Barmes drew a walk off Capuano. Carroll scored on Holliday’s run-scoring single and Barmes came home on Todd Helton’s infield single off the glove of third baseman David Bell.
The back-to-back homers by Atkins and Holliday put Colorado ahead 4-1. It marked the first time the Rockies hit back-to-back homers since Brad Hawpe and Jason Smith did the trick in a 10-4 win at San Diego in the sixth game of the season. Holliday’s home run was his team-leading 20th of the year.
“I’ve never hit 20, not even in the minors, so that’s kind of cool,” he said.
Knowing that Atkins hit an inside pitch for his homer, Holliday guessed Capuano would take him outside. Holliday guessed right.
“I really didn’t think it was a bad pitch, but he got it and that’s why he’s an all-star,” said Capuano, who went the distance.
Closer Brian Fuentes set the Brewers down in order in the ninth to record his 20th save. Fuentes has tossed seven shutout innings in his past six appearances, recording four saves and dropping his ERA from 4.46 to 3.74.
Staff writer Patrick Saunderscan be reached at 303-820-5459 or psaunders@denverpost.com.
