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Atkins powers Cook, Rockies past Padres

Aug 30, 2008 - 6:20 AM By Tim Powers PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

SAN DIEGO (Ticker) -- Garrett Atkins recorded his second two-homer performance of the season and Aaron Cook pitched six solid innings to help the Colorado Rockies down the San Diego Padres, 9-4, on Friday.

Atkins hit a three-run homer in the third and added a two-run blast in the ninth for a season-high five RBI as the Rockies won for the 10th time in 13 games.

Cook (16-8) allowed two runs and five hits in becoming the fifth pitcher in franchise history to reach the 16-win plateau. The 29-year-old righthander struck out three and walked two.

"I definitely pitched better (than recently)," said Cook, who has been battling a back injury. "I think my health comes back every time I come to San Diego. My velocity was up and I was able to use all of my pitches. I felt great tonight."

Manny Corpas surrendered a seventh-inning solo homer by Nick Hundley that drew San Diego within 4-3, but Colorado extended the advantage with a three-run uprising in the next frame.

The Padres cut the deficit to 7-4 in the eighth with a run off Taylor Buchholz, but Matt Holliday singled in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to 10 games, and Atkins followed by belting a pitch from Brian Falkenborg over the center field wall for a 9-4 bulge.

"That was one of my better swings I've had in a long time," Atkins said. "We've had a lot of confidence all year. The last month, we've been playing very good baseball, but it's too bad it took us so long."

Brian Fuentes retired the side in order in the ninth to secure the win.

San Diego took an early lead when rookie Will Venable, who was called up from Class AAA Portland earlier in the day, laced a triple in his first major league at-bat and scored on a wild pitch.

"It's good to see Will get his first big-league knock off a very good pitcher," Padres manager Bud Black said. "He looked comfortable all day. There's a competitive streak in him, which is great. As we move into September, you'll see some guys get an opportunity to play."

Colorado went on top for good in the third with a rally that was capped by Atkins' 17th home run. The third baseman launched a 1-0 offering from rookie starter Dirk Hayhurst over the left field wall.

"This is a ballpark where you normally don't hit a ball like that," Rockies manager Clint Hurdle said. "(Atkins) really scalded that one."

Hayhurst (0-1) lasted four innings in his second career start. The 27-year-old righthander allowed four runs and five hits with four walks and four strikeouts.

"I got into some situations where I didn't want to give them something to hit and I started to nibble," Hayhurst said. "Then I had to make perfect pitches, and that's hard to make sometimes. I put myself on the defensive quite a few times."

Kevin Kouzmanoff collected two hits for the Padres, who had won three in a row.