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Cook, Rockies end Cubs' winning streak

Apr 24, 2008 - 11:29 PM By Brady Delander PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies needed a lift, and pitcher Aaron Cook provided it for the defending National League champions.

Cook allowed four hits over eight innings, his longest outing of the season, to guide the Rockies past the streaking Chicago Cubs, 4-2, ending a four-game slide.

It's been a bumpy ride recently for the Rockies (10-12), who came into the contest losers of four consecutive games - all when leading after seven innings.

But the impressive performance by Cook (3-1) and some quality all-around offense righted the Rockies for the time being. The righthander allowed just two runs to go with three walks and five strikeouts, snapping the Cubs' six-game winning streak.

"I didn't feel like I needed to (pitch eight innings), but I know that they (the bullpen) have been through a rough spell," said Cook, who picked up his third consecutive win. "It worked out for the best, and we were able to get a good team win here."

Cook retired 16 consecutive batters at one point before Chicago loaded the bases in the eighth and tied the game at 2-2 on an RBI fielder's choice by Mike Fontenot.

Fontenot hit a hot shot to Rockies shortstop Clint Barmes, who started the double-play try, but the throw to first was not in time. Geovany Soto scored on the play to tie the game, and Cook then got Ryan Theriot to line into an unassisted double play at first base, ending the inning.

"I just knew all I had to do was settle down and make a couple of good pitches," Cook said. "Fortunately, we were able to get out of it with one run and hold them there, and the guys did a heck of a job coming back."

"He pitched well, he really did," Chicago manager Lou Piniella said of Cook. "He was impressive. He had good sink and good movement on his fastball, and he had a good breaking ball."

But the Rockies regained the lead back in the bottom of the eighth inning when Matt Holliday turned an apparent single to left-center field into a double with his hustle. After Holliday moved to third on a groundout by Garrett Atkins, Chicago walked Brad Hawpe, looking for a double play.

The Cubs almost got it.

Troy Tulowitzki grounded to second base, but Cubs shortstop Theriot misplayed the assist from Fontenot and allowed Holliday to score. Ryan Spilborghs provided insurance with a two-out, RBI single to left to give Colorado a 4-2 lead.

Brian Fuentes, who was named the closer in the place of Manny Corpas earlier in the day, held the lead in the ninth with a perfect inning - a welcome change for Colorado - to pick up his first save of the season.

"I was trying to go out and get my three outs and get out of there," Fuentes said. "Knowing that we've lost the lead late, I felt that pressure a little bit. There is really no difference between (pitching in) the eighth and the ninth. You can still get a blown save in the eighth."

Colorado took a 1-0 lead on an RBI single in the top of the first but Chicago tied the game in the second when Felix Pie drove in Kosuke Fukudome with a single to center.

The Rockies took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the seventh when Chris Iannetta led off the inning with a solo home run to left field.