Empyreal Environs

Aaron Cook looked death in the eye eight years ago, so a flesh wound to the leg wouldn’t likely stop him. In 2004 Cook had blood clots that traveled to his lungs. The clots, called pulmonary embolisms when they reach the lungs, caused shortness of breath and dizziness. A year after two surgeries he was the Rockies’ opening day starter.

Since Cook’s return he was a serviceable starter in the hitter-friendly climes of Coors, even earning an All-Star appearance in 2008. His sinker ball style of hurling was thought to translate well between National and American leagues, so it was with high anticipation that the Red Sox welcomed Cook to the mound. Cook plugged right into the slot that Josh Beckett vacated due to latissimus soreness.

In the second inning Cook started off inducing two outs but then allowed consecutive line drive singles to Chris Davis and Wilson Betemit. Most folks know that Cook throws the drop ball but that fact seemed to be lost on his battery mate. Jarrod Saltalamacchia failed to block a pitch to Mark Reynolds and Davis rushed home on the error.

With utter disregard for life and limb Cook slid on both knees to block home while trying to catch Saltalamacchia’s toss from foul territory. In the fray the pitcher was spiked on the leg, or as he described it, “kind of just filleted open a little bit.” Jim Joyce allowed the Red Sox trainers to treat Cook, who returned to the mound and got Reynolds to ground out to third.

ESPN talking heads conjured Curt Schilling when discussing Cook’s return to the mound in the third, but for two glaring differences: it wasn’t postseason baseball and Schilling pitched well. Although he was dauntless in his return that pluck did not translate into his pitching. Between Cook and reliever Clayton Mortensen the Orioles scored seven runs, including home runs by Adam Jones and Reynolds.

So much for home cooking. Time to go on a culinary adventure with Anthony Bourdain.

Game 26: May 5, 2012
Baltimore Orioles 18-9	8	W: Jason Hammel (4-1)
		2B: Matt Wieters (4), Mark Reynolds (6) HR: Adam Jones (7), Reynolds (2)
Boston Red Sox 11-15	2	L: Aaron Cook (0-1)
		2B: Adrian Gonzalez (6), Ryan Sweeney (13), Jarrod Saltalamacchia (4), Dustin Pedroia (9)