National League

Sporting News, The, April 16, 2001

Arizona

2-3: T 4th

Batista might take over for Witt in the rotation

RHP Bobby Witt, the No. 5 starter, came out of his first start Saturday with what initially was called a sprained elbow ligament. But it's possible he has a torn medial collateral ligament, which means he likely would need major surgery to pitch again. RHP Miguel Batista would be the apparent choice to step into the rotation. In his first two relief outings, Batista allowed three runs in four innings, without a strikeout.... 1 B/OF Erubiel Durazo made the opening roster at the last minute but soon put together a strong case for staying in the majors. Durazo began the season with three hits, including a homer, in three pinch--hit appearances.... RHP Curt Schilling says his first start reminded him of how he pitched before shoulder problems developed in the second half of the 1999 season. Schilling struck out 12 in seven innings and topped out at 96 mph.

SCOUTING REPORT: SS Tony Womack has the great speed that managers covet in a leadoff hitter. He also is the active leader in stolen-base percentage. But some of his offensive skills do not lend themselves to the top of the order. Womack doesn't walk much, though he had a couple in the first week of the season. And he doesn't utilize his speed by bunting or chopping at the ball, but hitting coach Dwayne Murphy is stressing the bunt as a weapon. Womack has a tendency to fly out to left on pitches up and away. In his second season at shortstop, Womack has decent range, a good arm and OK hands. His biggest weakness is turning double plays; he shies away from contact, often choosing to throw while leaping, and doesn't get much on the relay.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: In the offseason, manager Bob Brenly said he would limit Randy Johnson's pitch counts early in the year. In the opener, though, Johnson threw 133 pitches in seven tunings. The theory was sound--keep Johnson fresh for late in the year. But with the back end of the rotation unlikely to go deep into games, the top end must keep the bullpen fresh. --Ed Price

Dugout Signals

Manager Bob Brenly won't baby his relievers. RHP Russ Springer, pitching for the third straight day Saturday, threw 38 pitches. RHP Miguel Batista threw 36 and 25 pitches on consecutive days. RHP Byung-Hyun Kim threw 52 pitches on Saturday. The effects remain to he seen.

STATISTICS            AVG     G   AB   R  H   HR  RBI

Durazo( )            1.000    3    3   1  3   1    21
Delluci( )            .467    5   15   4  7   0     3
Womack( )             .409    5   22   4  9   0     3
Miller                .389    5   18   2  7   0     1
Williams              .364    5   22   2  8   1     3
Bell                  .308    4   13   2  4   0     1
Gonzalez( )           .304    5   23   7  7   5     9
Grace( )              .261    5   23   4  6   1     3
Bautista              .167    3    6   0  1   0     0
Finley( )             .150    5   20   1  3   0     0
Counsell( )           .143    2    7   1  1   0     0
Colbrunn              .000    3    2   0  0   0     0
Cummings( )           .000    3    3   0  0   0     0
(*)Barajas             --     0    0   0  0   0     0

STATISTICS             OBP   SB    K    BB   E

Durazo( )             .000    0    0     0   0
Delluci( )            .500    0    4     1   0
Womack( )             .480    1    0     2   1
Miller                .450    0    3     2   1
Williams              .391    0    3     1   1
Bell                  .400    0    5     2   0
Gonzalez( )           .333    0    4     1   0
Grace( )              .292    0    3     0   0
Bautista              .167    0    3     0   0
Finley( )             .261    0    5     3   0
Counsell( )           .250    0    1     1   0
Colbrunn              .333    0    0     1   0
Cummings( )           .000    0    0     0   0
(*)Barajas             --     0    0     0   0

GRAND SLAMS: None

PITCHERS              ERA   W-L   IP   H  R   ER

Kim                   0.00  0-0  3.0   0  0   0
Mantei                0.00  0-0  1.0   1  0   0
Swindell( )           0.00  0-0  2.0   1  0   0
Schilling             1.29  1-0  7.0   4  2   1
Johnson( )            2.57  1-0  7.0   4  2   2
Springer              6.23  0-0  4.1   4  3   3
Batista               6.75  0-0  4.0   4  3   3
Witt                  9.64  0-1  4.2   7  5   5
Morgan               10.13  0-0  2.2   6  3   3
Anderson( )          11.25  0-1  4.0   7  6   5
Reynoso              14.54  0-1  4.1   9  7   7

PITCHERS              HR    K   BB   SV   AVG.

Kim                    0    9    4    0  .000
Mantei                 0    0    0    1  .250
Swindell( )            0    0    0    0  .143
Schilling              1   12    1    0  .154
Johnson( )             0   10    4    0  .182
Springer               0    1    1    0  .235
Batista                0    0    2    0  .286
Witt                   1    3    5    0  .368
Morgan                 0    1    1    0  .462
Anderson( )            2    1    1    0  .438
Reynoso                2    2    1    0  .429

SHUTOUTS: None

COMPLETE GAMES: None

(*) Rookie

( ) Lefthanded

(#) Switch hitter

League leaders in bold

Statistics provided by STATS Inc. through Saturday, April 7