It began as an answer and became a recipe for revival. In order to pry open the lid on this season’s casket, the Rockies, in manager Clint Hurdle’s estimation, need to forget personal statistics.
“One of the problems you have in athletics is that when things go bad you internalize and become so focused on not being the weak link that you don’t play to win,” Hurdle explained. “All we did in the second half of last season was throw it out on the field and not worry about that. We need to find a way to rekindle that.”
Or you can just pitch Aaron Cook.
For all the Rockies’ problems, the game appears pretty simple when he’s on the mound. Cook made one heck of a pitch to start the All-Star game with the National League manager sitting in the dugout, working over the San Diego Padres 4-0 with his second complete-game victory this season.
Cook snapped the Rockies’ eight-game losing streak, and continued his mastery over the Padres. He’s 10-3 lifetime against San Diego with a 2.41 ERA. Beyond his audition tape for the Midsummer Classic, this victory came with several notable distinctions.
It required just 81 pitches and 1 hour and 58 minutes, as Cook bedazzled San Diego with a mixture of sinkers, cutters and changeups. His velocity increased as the game progressed. It’s the first complete shutout of Cook’s career, and 16th ever at Coors Field.
Cook didn’t allow a single runner to reach second base – that happens when you don’t walk anybody. His 11 wins tie the franchise record for most before the all-star break. The Rockies are 12-6 in his starts, meaning they have basically been the 1962 Mets without him.
All the support the right-hander needed came during a four-run fourth inning that included a Garrett Atkins’ RBI single and a throwing error from Padres shortstop Khalil Greene.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
