Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Cook Skewers Angels; Cahill Cuts Down Giants

Players of the Day for Monday, June 22, 2009 American League The A's cooled off their cross-town rivals, San Francisco, with a 5-1 home win on the strength of rookie Trevor Cahill's 4-hit pitching over seven innings. Cahill evened his record at 5-5 with a third win in his last four starts. The 6'3" California righty gave up his only earned run of the contest on Trevor Ishikawa's 4th homer of the season, a 2nd inning solo shot. Cahill walked one and struck out 4, finishing strong by retiring the Giants in order in the 6th and 7th innings before turning the ball over to the bullpen. The Giants had won three straight before coming to Oakland. The A's remain in last place in the AL West, 6 1/2 games off the pace. National League The Colorado Rockies are tearing it up, be it against National League opposition or teams from the AL. On Monday, the Rockies inflicted some pain on the California Angels, swamping the Halos, 11-1, behind the 3-hit, 7-inning pitching of Aaron Cook. Having spent his entire career - since 2002 - in the Rockies' organization, Cook had his best season in 2008, going 16-9 with a 3.96 ERA. Thus far in 2009, he's on track for an even better seasonal performance, already at 7-3, with a still-high 4.00 ERA, part of the punishment for pitching in thin air. Cook allowed the three Angels' hits in the first four innings, the last of which was Kendry Morales solo home run in the 4th, though by then, Colorado had already put up three runs of its own. In the next frame, Brad Hawpe quickly upped the lead to 6-1, with his 11th home run of the season, a 3-run jolt. Through the 5th, 6th and 7th, Cook retired the Angels in order, except for a 6th inning walk to Vladimir Guerrero. He left after completing seven innings, striking out four in the process. The win put the Rockies 9 games back of the Dodgers, just 1/2 game out of second place in the NL West, behind the Giants. Colorado has won 17 of its last 18 games and six straight. 11 of the wins came against NL teams, 6 against AL teams. The only loss during the streak was a 12-4 home loss to Tampa Bay.

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