TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -Aaron Cook never worried about his early spring struggles.

That doesn't mean he wasn't hoping for better when he took the mound for the Colorado Rockies.

``You don't worry but you want to be better, you want to be good,' he said. ``You know it's a matter of time before things fall in place but you don't want it to take too much time.'

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Things have fallen in place quite nicely for Cook in the last week.

The right-hander threw six strong innings in the Rockies' 6-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, yielding one run and six hits.

``It was a good feeling, real good,' said Cook, who was coming off a solid outing in a minor league game.

The White Sox were without right-handers Jake Peavy and Bobby Jenks, who stayed in the Phoenix area instead of making the trip to Tucson and pitched in a minor league game.

Greg Aquino threw two scoreless innings for Chicago, allowing two hits and walking one.

Tim Redding was hit hard again, yielding five runs and seven hits in two innings for Colorado. The right-hander allowed 11 runs, 10 earned, in 6 1-3 innings over his last three appearances.

Redding is competing with right-handers Justin Speier and Juan Rincon, and lefty Joe Beimel for the final bullpen spot.

Beimel, who signed with the Rockies on Tuesday, threw 20 pitches in a minor league game Saturday. He is scheduled to work in relief against Texas on Monday.

The one advantage for Redding is manager Jim Tracy wants someone who can work multiple innings to save wear and tear on the other relievers. Redding has primarily been a starter in his career.

``With the final spot, we need a guy who is capable of getting outs, and has to have the capability if things are not working to figure out how to get outs,' Tracy said.

Mark Kotsay went 3 for 3 and Alexei Ramirez drove in two runs for Chicago. Kotsay raised his average to .429.

NOTES: White Sox 2B Gordon Beckham was scratched with a sore left side. The White Sox are hoping Beckham will be able to play Sunday. ... White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said he plans to use an opening-day lineup on Monday that will include Andruw Jones at designated hitter, and an outfielder of Juan Pierre in left, Alex Rios in center, and Carlos Quentin in right field. Guillen said he has been impressed with Jones and will give him some time in center field. Kotsay is expected to the left-handed part of the DH platoon with Jones.