The Colorado Rockies (46-39) and Aaron Cook had quite the matchup on their hands tonight at Coors Field as they took on the Atlanta Braves (41-44) and unbeaten rookie pitcher Tommy Hanson. The Braves have always played well against the Rockies and this young pitcher they have is awesome. It was a battle of back and forth for the first couple of innings as each team scored and then was scored on. Both pitchers had to call it quits earlier than expected. Cook finished 5.2 innings, allowing 5 earned runs, walking 3, and striking out 3. Hanson completed 5 innings, allowed 4 earned runs, walked 2, and struck out 2. Both pitchers struggled with command at times but were proficient; it was the timely hitting that decided this game.

There were some bright moments for the Rockies such as Ian Stewart’s homerun in the 2nd inning off of Hanson, the look on Hanson’s face as he turned to watch the ball’s flight was classic, welcome to the big leagues son, courtesy of Ian Stewart! There was the triple that Chris Iannetta crushed driving in two runs in the 4th as well. None of that compared to Garrett Atkins’ pinch hitting performance though. Here is a guy that has been All-Star quality both in the field and at the plate for years, and 2 months into this season he loses his starting job to the up-and-coming Stewart. Then add in all of the trade rumors currently surrounding Atkins. I imagine that it must be hard to put on a smiling face everyday out there right now. Atkins came up to bat in the 8th inning, he was coming off the bench, there were 2 men on and 2 outs, plus the game was tied, drama. Atkins promptly cracked the ball down the third base line just under the outstretched grab of the third basemen and into the outfield. I held my breath for the umps call….FAIR, he pointed FAIR, that’s what I was screaming as Stewart and Iannetta came around to score and give the Rockies the lead again. The camera crew caught Atkins grinning from ear to ear at second base as he dusted himself off. Way to go Georgia! It was the definition of clutch hitting. Reporters asked Atkins about the game winning hit afterwards, “Any time you have a chance to get the game-winning hit, whether you’re on the bench or starting, it feels good,” said Atkins, a career .298 hitter whose average hovered near .200 for much of the season. “But it probably feels better even more so coming off the bench to help the team, because you’re not out there for the rest of the game and it’s kind of your only chance to do it. It was nice to come through.” That was a picture perfect answer Garrett. Coach Jim Tracy also added, “To step up and once again be the professional, I can’t say enough good things about him,” Tracy said. “It’s not easy being in the position that he’s in, but he’s a pro and he took one terrific at-bat for us.” A great come from behind victory for our boys, 7-6, it should be noted that Juan Rincon (1-0) picked up the relief victory and Huston Street nailed down his 22nd save on the year. And we just keep on rolling, rolling, rolling!

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http://isportsweb.com/2009/07/10/atk...s-the-rockies/