Rockies Win First Game of Second Half Behind Aaron Cook's Gutsy Performance

The Colorado Rockies went into the All-Star break on the high of winning a game in which they were down by four runs entering the seventh inning and winning on a walk-off hit by Brad Hawpe. After a great run starting at the beginning of June and lasting into July the fear was that the Rockies would have a chance to take a breath at the break and lose the momentum that they had gained over the past month and a half. Aaron Cook and the offense proved that fans have nothing to worry about on Thursday night in San Diego. Cook definitely did not have his best stuff, including a flat sinker, but it was a gutsy performance that got him through six innings, giving up only one run. He dealt with traffic in every inning, giving up eight hits and walking four while striking out eight. Cook did everything that the Rockies could hope for, not having good stuff but finding ways to get outs. In the past two years Cook has learned how to get a strikeout when necessary. While Cook did not have his...