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Atkins, Spilborghs key scoring outburst in Rockies win

Jul 4, 2007 - 4:43 AM DENVER (Ticker) -- The Colorado Rockies are showing they are glad to be back home.

Garrett Atkins homered and had three RBI and Ryan Spilborghs hit a grand slam as the Rockies blasted the New York Mets, 11-3, on Tuesday.

After losing nine of 10 road games against the Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros, the Rockies have flipped the switch back on upon their return to Coors Field, where they have won nine of their last 10 games.

Atkins, playing against the team that originally drafted him 10 years ago, answered a two-run first from the Mets when he capped off a four-run frame for the Rockies with a two-run homer off Justin Vargas (0-1) to left to give the Rockies an early 4-2 lead. He recorded a sacrifice fly in the fifth as well and has eight RBI over his last five contests.

"I wasn't sure (if it would leave the park), I didn't hit it that great," Atkins said. "I'm just happy it went out."

Spilborghs put a 6-3 Colorado advantage out of reach in the bottom of the fourth as he sent a pitch from Mets reliever Joe Smith over the fence in right to clear the bases and provide the Rockies with an insurmountable 10-3 lead.

"I knew I got the the whole thing; I knew it was out," Spilborghs said. "Any time you can hit a grand slam and (get) four RBI, it's special. You know, it's almost a dagger to those guys (the Mets) right there."

Kaz Matsui had a career-high five hits and scored twice for the Rockies, who scored 10 or more runs for the seventh time this season, including five of those double-digit performances coming at home.

"We know we can score runs and know our starting pitching can get back on track," Atkins said. We're gaining more confidence."

After allowing a solo shot from Ramon Castro in the fourth after a two-run opening outburst from the Mets, Aaron Cook (5-5) yielded three runs and seven hits and did not walk a batter over eight innings. The sinkerballer was at his best in the contest, getting 21 of his 24 outs by way of the grounder.

"This was a very good game for (Aaron) Cook) and us," manager Clint Hurdle said. "(Twenty-one) ground-ball outs, that's really impressive."

"I know I can throw ground balls against any lineup if I have my sinker working," Cook said. "It's just a matter of staying back and executing my pitch. I was able to do it tonight and work both sides of the plate."

Brian Fuentes, who was recently demoted from his usual closer role after blowing four consecutive saves, worked a perfect ninth.

Vargas (0-1), who was recalled from the minors on Monday to take the place of the injured Oliver Perez, was pounded in his first start since May 15 for the Mets. He surrendered nine runs and 11 hits over just 3 1/3 innings.