Aaron Cook already has established a career high in victories (14-8) and sparkled in his first All-Star Game appearance. At one point, a 20-win season seemed well within reach. At the least, Cook’s chances of setting a franchise record with 18 victories looked realistic.
But Cook is struggling, losing two straight, working just 5 2/3 innings in each game. Theories abound for Cook’s mini-slump. Manager Clint Hurdle said he was going to talk to Cook about the right-hander’s ability to focus on the right target.
Cook, however, thinks he has slipped off track for a simple reason.
“It’s not complicated, I just haven’t executed my pitches,” Cook said Sunday, the day after the Padres rocked him for six runs on 10 hits.
Cook, who is scheduled to start Thursday against the Diamondbacks, has nine or 10 starts left, so if he gets back on track he still has a chance to become Colorado’s first 20-game winner.
Cook already has pitched 172 innings, and while he admits fatigue may be a factor in his losing skid, he doesn’t think he has “hit a wall.”
“I might be feeling it a little bit, but I feel fine when I’m out there,” Cook said. “I’m just going to go back and look at film, study things and move forward.”
Hurdle said this season is a new experience for the right-hander, who has never pitched a full season in the majors without an injury.
“This is a challenging time,” Hurdle said. “His seasons have been fractured and broken up. Is there fatigue? That’s a real question.”
Helton update.
Todd Helton (lower back strain) was transferred to the 60-day disabled list after being on the 15-day DL since July 4. The move makes it more likely he will miss the rest of the season.
Rotation in motion.
Hurdle has yet to decide whether Glendon Rusch or Jorge De La Rosa will start Friday against the Nationals in Washington. Rusch has been much more consistent, but De La Rosa, with his mid-90s fastball and biting slider, has a bigger upside, which may entice Hurdle into giving him more starts.
Footnotes.
As expected, pitcher Kip Wells was designated for assignment to make room for Livan Hernandez. . . . With a crowd of 45,660, the Rockies topped the 2 million mark in attendance, averaging 33,900 per game. . . . Matt Holliday scored a run in his 15th straight game, passing Dante Bichette to set a franchise record.
Patrick Saunders, The Denver Post
