Sat Apr 19 22:22:24 2008

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Cook helps Rockies stay hot with narrow win over Astros

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Houston, TX (Sports Network) - Aaron Cook tossed seven strong innings and also helped himself with an RBI single as Colorado edged Houston, 3-2, in the middle test of a three-game series at Minute Maid Park.

Cook (2-1) allowed two runs -- one earned -- on four hits while walking a batter and fanning four for the Rockies, who have won four straight. Brian Fuentes worked the eighth and Manny Corpas tossed a perfect ninth to record his fourth save.

Brad Hawpe had a pair of hits and drove in a run, while Garrett Atkins went 2- for-4 with a run scored for Colorado. Todd Helton added three hits.

Oscar Villarreal (0-3) took the loss for the Astros, allowing one run on two hits over two innings in relief of starter Wandy Rodriguez, who departed after four innings with a sore left groin.

J.R. Towles hit a solo homer for Houston, which has dropped four of five.

Michael Bourn legged out Houston's first-inning run, reaching on Clint Barmes' fielding error, stealing second and moving to third on Kaz Matsui's single. Miguel Tejada then grounded into a double play, allowing Bourn to scamper home.

The Rockies came right back with a run in the second, as Atkins doubled and later scored on Cook's single.

Towles' lead-off shot in the third made it 2-1, but Colorado pulled even in the fourth on Ryan Spilborghs' RBI single, then added another run in the fifth.

Facing Villarreal, Matt Holliday walked, Atkins singled and Hawpe followed with a base hit through the right side for a 3-2 lead.

Houston had Geoff Blum's leadoff double erased in the top of the seventh, as the ball was snowconed in the glove of Spilborghs in center field. When he hit the ground the ball clearly popped out, but was still ruled a catch.

The Astros also stranded a runner at second in the eighth, but went down in order in the ninth.

Game Notes

Houston manager Cecil Cooper was ejected in the seventh for arguing Spilborghs' catch...The Astros agreed to terms with right-hander Alay Soler on a one-year deal Saturday. He will spend at least two weeks in extended Spring Training before reporting to Triple-A Round Rock...Rodriguez, who gave up two runs and five hits, is considered day-to-day with his injury...Cook improved to 4-0 in eight career outings (seven starts) versus Houston.