Cook grows more comfortable with changeup

OAKLAND -- Ryan Cook returned from a right forearm injury in early June and, for about two weeks, was not his usual self. He allowed six runs in seven appearances and gave up two home runs, watching his ERA rise to 4.58. Since then, though, the right-hander has been untouchable.

Entering Thursday's series opener against the Twins, Cook had not surrendered a run since June 22, a span of 18 outings. He has 13 strikeouts and three walks during that stretch.

In addition to feeling fully healthy, Cook said Thursday that he has addressed a mechanical flaw that had been giving him trouble since last season.

"I was working at trying to find it, but it was just evading me," he said. "I was able to find that with the help of Curt Young, our pitching coach, and we made a couple changes there, which physically help you, and then also obviously help you mentally."

Primarily a fastball-slider pitcher, Cook has also become more comfortable this year throwing a changeup. Never one to shake off signs from his catchers, he has used the changeup sporadically during his career depending on who's behind the plate.

D-backs catcher Miguel Montero loved the pitch; former A's catcher Kurt Suzuki -- who is now with the Twins -- stuck with the fastball-slider combo; and now, Derek Norris, John Jaso and Stephen Vogt are bringing it back.

"In them calling it, I've learned a little bit on how to use it and when I want to use it," Cook said. "I don't shake [them off] much at all, actually, so it's more of a testament to them trusting in it and calling it at the right times than it is me deciding when to throw it."

Most importantly, Cook's command has been superb.

"It really is all about the command for him," manager Bob Melvin said. "When his arm slot's there, his mechanics are sound, you're going to see the results that you see. He was an All-Star at a young age for us [in 2012], and he's pitching as well as he's pitched here, including that year."