August 24, 2008 11:16 AM

Pondering Cook; Aug. 24

Aaron Cook has not pitched six innings in any of his past four starts, including Saturday when he came out after facing three Reds batters in the sixth. He'll get an extra day of rest before his next scheduled start Friday at San Diego, because the Rockies are off Thursday.

However, Cook pitched with five rather than four days' rest Saturday against the Reds, since the Rockies were off Monday. Cook actually had seven days' off before his start one week ago at Washington, because back stiffness caused him to have a start pushed back three days.

Cook, who pitched three innings in the July 15 All-Star Game, won his first three starts after the break and pitched at least seven innings in each game before hitting his current lull. He has worked 182 innings this season.

Manager Clint Hurdle said it's "very appropriate" for Cook to have one additional days' rest before his next start. "Just from what we've seen by the performance and the pitch efficiency, we're best served by going that way," Hurdle said. "And if you had to make a decision (because of no off day), I think it's one we would've made anyway. You can't force things. He's not responding the other way, as well. This is giving him a better chance to have success and to keep from injury."

Ian Stewart is tied for second with teammate Brad Hawpe in RBI since the All-Star break. Both have 34 RBI, one behind Albert Pujols.

The Rockies are 4-2 against the Reds and finish the season series with them today. A win would give the Rockies their best record ever in a season series against Cincinnati. The Rockies went 4-2 (.667) against the Reds last year and 6-3 (.667) in 2001.

RHP Luis Vizcaino ended a span of 31 games without a decision for the Rockies when he earned the win Saturday. Entering last night's game, Vizcaino, Atlanta's Buddy Carlyle and Twins closer Joe Nathan were the only players in the majors with at least 30 appearances and no decisions. Carlyle also earned a win Saturday.

The lineups

Rockies

2B Barmes
CF Podsednik (L)
LF Holliday
RF Hawpe
1B Atkins
3B Stewart (L)
C Iannetta
SS Tulowitzki
RHP Jimenez

Reds

LF Dickerson (L)
SS Cabrera
2B Phillips
1B Votto (L)
RF Bruce (L)
3B Encarnacion
CF Patterson (L)
C Bako (L)
RHP Cueto

Posted by Jack Etkin at 11:16 AM | Comments (0)