"Crank up the pitch count and Aaron Cook looks regular-season ready. "I feel like I'm in a great place," the Rockies' ace said Sunday after holding the Indians to one run on five hits in five innings. "I feel like I'm able to use all of my pitches. I've been pitching in the strike zone effectively. I definitely feel like I'm pitching well." Two weeks from today, Cook is scheduled to step on the mound at Chase Field in Phoenix for the Rockies' regular-season opener vs. the Diamondbacks. He threw just 59 pitches Sunday, but between now and the April 6 opener he'll start adding volume, beginning with a seven-inning outing Friday against Seattle. Cook's 1.89 ERA is second- best in the Cactus League. "So far, so

good," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He has command of the bottom of the zone better than maybe any pitcher we have in camp right now." The last time Cook faced Cleveland, he used his curve and changeup to strike out seven in five innings. Sunday, he went back to his trusty sinker. "Today was probably the worst I've felt, pitching-wise, and I felt like I got away with some pitches," he said. "But it didn't turn out horrible." Atkins update. The Rockies remain hopeful that injured third baseman Garrett Atkins (strained groin) will be ready for opening day. But he will have to make significant progress this week. He took batting practice and did some light running Sunday. "Barring any setbacks, if we can get some activity started this week, I do believe we have enough time," Hurdle said, adding that the club would tune up Atkins using a combination of Cactus League games and at-bats in minor- league games."