A festive holiday crowd of 48,040 showed up at Coors Field tonight expecting fireworks. Little did fans know that the show would start before the sun set.
By the conclusion of the fifth inning, the Rockies had already scored 11 runs against the Mets, fueled by a fourth-inning grand slam from Ryan Spilborghs – the first of his career – and a two-run homer by Garrett Atkins in the first. By the time darkness descended and the pyrotechnics began, the Rockies had pounded out 18 hits and beaten New York 11-3.
As encouraging as the offensive onslaught was, starter Aaron Cook’s solid performance was even more important. Showing precise command of his sinker, and slipping in a few sneaky curves, Cook threw eight innings, allowing seven hits. He didn’t walk a batter. Proof of Cook’s quality stuff came in the form of 20 groundball outs.
The Mets scored two runs on three hits in the first inning, but then Cook settled into his groove. The only damage inflicted the rest of the way a solo homer by Ramon Castro in the fourth.
Perhaps a New York state of mind is exactly what the Rockies needed. Just prior to their disastrous 1-9 road trip, the Rockies swept three games from the Yankees. After taking two straight from the Mets, the Rockies have another New York sweep in mind Wednesday night. Should the Rockies win again, it would be their first sweep of the Mets since July 23-24, 1996 at Coors Field. That three-game series included a double-header.
In the past five games against New York teams, the Rockies have allowed just 10 runs.
The Rockies have won five straight at Coors and 11 of their past 13.
