Sinkerball pitcher Aaron Cook gave up round-trippers to Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark, allowing as many hits (seven) as he got outs. It was the second shortest start in Cook's career. The only time he retired fewer batters was on Aug. 7, 2004, when he departed after two innings against Cincinnati because he felt dizzy. Turned out he had a left-threatening blood clot.

And if that weren't enough, Jason Grilli, called on in relief with the score tied at 8-8, entered the game in the seventh and gave up a home run to Chad Tracy, the first batter he faced this season. Grilli allowed only one home run in 61 1/3 innings with the Rockies last year.

This wasn't what the Rockies were counting on from Cook. Only once in the last two years had he failed to pitch even five innings. It forced manager Clint Hurdle to go to his bullpen early and often, using four relievers, including Grilli and lefty Glendon Rusch for two innings apiece.

And it offset a strong offensive effort from the Rockies against Arizona's sinkerball artist, Brandon Webb, who couldn't get through the five innings needed for a victory. The Rockies got to Webb for six runs, including back-to-back home runs from Troy Tulowitzki and Chris Iannetta to tie the game at 6-6 in the fourth.

DIAMONDBACKS 9, ROCKIES 8: Aaron Cook and Glendon Rusch both gave up home runs to Felipe Lopez and Tony Clark, and Jason Grilli served up a game-deciding home run to Chad Tracy in the seventh inning of the Rockies' season-opening loss at Arizona on Monday. Brad Hawpe went 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs for the Rockies, and Seth Smith drove in two runs with a single and a home run.