CHICAGO - Briefly, there were signs of life. 

The back end of theRockies' bullpen flunked its first major test of the young season Sunday afternoon at cold, rain-soaked Coors Field. 

COOK'S SINKER AIDS HIS RISE TO RESPECTABILITY 

The baseball season is just over a week old, but the Chicago Cubs have already had to overcome injuries to several key players. 

The Rockies have every reason to be bullish on Ubaldo Jimenez, whom they signed to a four-year, $10 million contract this winter after he finished his first full season in the majors. 

--The nine walks allowed Monday by the Rockies pitchers, including an intentional one by LHP Glendon Rusch, equaled the total they allowed in the three-game series with the Phillies over the weekend. 

In the first week of the season, manager Clint Hurdle made it apparent he intends to give 1B Todd Helton ample rest and more than he ever has in past seasons. 

Ted Lilly held Colorado hitless for 6 2-3 innings on a raw day at Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs won their home opener Monday by holding the Rockies to one hit in a 4-0 victory. 

Raw and rainy was like a sunny day in the park for Ted Lilly. 

Raw and rainy was like a sunny day in the park for Ted Lilly. 

It's four games into the new season and the defending World Series champions are 1-3 and their star pitcher has become a concern. 

Back in February, before theRockies played their first Cactus League game, manager Clint Hurdle was asked to describe his team's mission after a disappointing 2008. 

The question concerned Garrett Atkins' potential as theRockies' cleanup hitter and major run producer this season. 

DENVER - It isn't easy to sit on the bench for eight innings, then head to the batting cage for a few swings, and then head to a batter's box to face a pitcher whose sole job is to retire hitters in key, late-inning situations. 

DENVER - Chad Durbin was the only one.