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N.L. west

Sporting News, The, May 20, 2005

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

3B Troy Glaus has been at or near the top of the N.L in home runs all season, but he's working to improve his situational hitting; he struggled early with men in scoring position. ... The club hoped LHP Randy Choate would wind up at Class AAA Tucson after being designated for assignment last week. Choate lost his specialist's job to LHP Javier Lopez. RHP Kerry Ligtenberg replaced Choate on the roster. Ligtenberg is a candidate for long relief, something Choate isn't suited for. ... When RHP Mike Koplove's fastball dips into the low to mid-80s and his slider isn't effective, that's a sign the busy setup reliever needs a break. SBE A DIFFERENT GAME: LF Luis Gonzalez has been working with hitting coach Mike Aldrete on using the entire field more often. Gonzalez had fallen into the habit of hooking the ball to right field. Most of his home runs come on swings such as that, but he also needs to keep hitting the bail back through the middle.--Steve Gilbert

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COLORADO ROCKIES

RHP Jason Jennings again has run into early-season problems because his sinker works differently on the road than in the high altitude at Coors Field. His inability to make adjustments early in the season leads to bad Aprils, but he usually gains consistency as the year progresses. ... The pitching staff took much of the blame last season when the Rockies gave up stolen bases at an alarming rate. The pitchers, some of whom have improved, still could do a better job of holding runners on, but Cs J.D. Closser and Todd Greene need to get rid of the ball faster. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Keeping preparation simple has helped OF Brad Hawpe generate power with his swing. He uses a leg kick before striding into pitches, and he works against pitchers throwing from a full windup before each game so he can get his timing down. Now that he has his swing down, his goal is to be more productive late in games.--Thomas Harding

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Reports of LF Ryan Klesko's demise as a power hitter were exaggerated. He was distressed by Petco Park's vast dimensions last season, but Klesko finally is free of the shoulder problems and recently has produced some mammoth homers at home. ... The bullpen has flourished. Manager Brace Bochy skillfully has balanced LHPs Chris Hammond and Dennys Reyes with RHPs Scott Linebrink, Akinori Otsuka and Rudy Seanez in getting to RHP Trevor Hoffman, the closer. ... The club called up Damian Jackson, a journeyman with some speed, to help at shortstop. When Khalil Greene (finger) returns, Jackson could slide into the utility role Geoff Blum (chest) held before he was put on the D.L. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: A subtle adjustment by RHP Brian Lawrence has enabled him to regain his command after several shaky starts. Lawrence moved his thumb position on his grip, allowing him to control his sinker better and paint the outside corner.--Lyle Spencer

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

Unless a proven third baseman becomes available on the trade market, the team will have to look within for a replacement for Jose Valentin (knee), who could be out for two months. But Olmedo Saenz is best as a pinch hitter, Antonio Perez was shaky at third this spring, and Norihiro Nakamura still must adjust to big-league pitching. Mike Edwards, a recent Class AAA call-up, also is in the mix. ... When closer Eric Gagne (elbow) returns, RHP Yhency Brazoban will move back to the setup role. Brazoban has proved to be a quality closer, and a 1-2 punch of him and Gagne in the late innings will be formidable. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Hitting coach Tim Wallach and G.M. Paul DePodesta stress a patient approach at the plate, and their influence has helped. In 2003, L.A. was last in the N.L. in walks. In 2004, the first year with DePodesta and Wallach, the team jumped to 10th; entering the week, it ranked fifth.--Ken Gurnick

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Success on the bases has helped the club surge to the N.L. lead in runs. SS Omar Vizquel and rookie OF Jason Ellison, the team's fastest player, have been successful on 13 of 15 steal attempts. Vizquel, 38, was 9-for-9 entering the week. He uses his knowledge of pitchers' nuances to compensate for diminished speed. ... The club will be careful with 2B Ray Durham. He has had groin problems despite a new offseason workout program. It's possible the team eventually will recall IF Brian Dallimore from the minors to help out. ... Rookie RHP Jeremy Accardo, who is expected to be up with the Giants for only a brief time, has a mid-90s fastball. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: LHP Kirk Rueter's new game plan of working both sides of the plate has proved effective, and he credits C Mike Matheny for calling a good mix of pitches and locations. Rueter also has been free of injury in 2005 after being limited by a sports hernia last season.--Rich Draper

N.L. west

Sporting News, The, May 20, 2005

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