N.L. reports

Sporting News, The, June 14, 2004

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS The early returns on RHP Elmer Dessens in the bullpen are good. He has thrown at 94 mph (as a starter, his fastballs usually were at 90-91 mph), and his fastball has late movement. He has thrown fewer curveballs and has relied on his fastball and slider.... After giving up four runs in the first inning of a recent start, RHP Brandon Webb remembered advice Curt Schilling gave him last year and mentally "threw out" the inning. That maturity allowed him to follow it up with four scoreless frames. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: In a tie game recently, the club had a runner at second and no outs in the bottom of the ninth. CF Steve Finley was up, and the situation seemed to cry for a sacrifice bunt. But manager Bob Brenly believed Finley, a savvy veteran, could find a way to get the runner over while taking a shot at a hit. Finley pulled a ground ball to the right side, which got the runner over. LF Luis Gonzalez followed with a single for the win. Finley said if he had fallen behind 0-1, he would have laid down the bunt on his own.--Steve Gilbert

FEARLESS FORECAST

Ace LHP Randy Johnson will not be traded, even if the club falls out of the race. The D-Backs want him to finish his career in an Arizona uniform.

ATLANTA BRAVES In order to lessen the strain on his troublesome right hamstring, LF Chipper Jones could begin playing first base on a regular basis. He likely would move back to the outfield when Adam LaRoche (dislocated shoulder) returns in late July. Jones never has played first base as a professional. His infield experience is as a shortstop and third baseman.... Utilityman Eli Marrero has been a disappointment. He already has been on the D.L. twice and hasn't impressed manager Bobby Cox enough to get regular playing time at any of the positions he's capable of playing. SCOUTING REPORT: LHP Mike Hampton's most effective pitch, his sinker, has been his weakness. He is determined to throw it because he seems to have lost confidence in his four-seam fastball, which he still can throw in the low 90s. Batters have been more inclined to take the sinker for a ball and force him to pitch behind in the count. Until he begins showing his four-seamer early in the count, opponents will hit him the way they did when he was with the Rockies.--Mark Bowman

FEARLESS FORECAST

The names are different, but when the Braves find themselves still in a pennant race in September, it once again will be because of pitching.

CHICAGO CUBS RHP Mark Prior was dominant in his season debut, but expect his pitch count to be monitored in the near future. He was gassed after 85 pitches against the Pirates.... When RF Sammy Sosa missed three weeks last season, he did not go to the minors for a rehab assignment. Sosa (back) likely will skip the minors again when he returns. He began swinging a bat June 2.... RHP Sergio Mitre, who was Prior's sub, will pitch at Class AAA after skipping that level when he jumped to the big leagues. Mitre struggled with the Cubs, going 2-4 with a 6.51 ERA in nine starts.... Manager Dusty Baker rarely will use LHPs Kent Mercker (back) and Mike Remlinger (shoulder) on consecutive days because both are coming off injuries, making LHP Jimmy Anderson a key part of the bullpen. SCOUTING REPORT: 1B Derrek Lee's numbers are down, partly because he's pulling the ball too much. Baker is trying to get Lee to use the whole field by batting him second, which calls for more situational hitting. The need to make contact and advance runners could improve Lee's stroke, and he will be able to steal more bases in that spot.--Carrie Muskat

FEARLESS FORECAST

Manager Dusty Baker has bled several No. 2 hitters, and until he finds the right hitter for that spot, the offense will scuffle.

CINCINNATI REDS The composition of the bench will remain the same for a while now that OF John Vander Wal pulled out of his minor league rehab assignment. He says his torn ACL isn't ready. The bench was strengthened by the return of Brandon Larson, who will compete with Ryan Freel and, when he returns from the D.L., Juan Castro (rib cage) at third base. All three bat righthanded. Vander Wal, a top pinch hitter, is lefthanded.... After struggling with a blister and rough outings, RHP Jose Acevedo could be taking over as the staff ace. RHP Paul Wilson has the best record, but Acevedo has the best stuff.... Manager Dave Miley has the team exceeding expectations, but don't expect a decision on a long-term contract until after the season. SCOUTING REPORT: LF Adam Dunn's improvement has a lot to do with him not pulling the ball. He was getting out in front of offspeed pitches and missing hard stuff on the outside part of the plate. When he uses an inside-out approach, he can hit outside pitches the opposite way.--Todd Lorenz

FEARLESS FORECAST

Once IF Juan Castro returns, he'll continue to hit and convince the Reds he deserves to start at short after Barry Larkin retires.

COLORADO ROCKIES After batting .333 in 12 games at Class AAA Colorado Springs, 2B Aaron Miles is back to reclaim the leadoff spot. The switch hitter hopes to display a better eye and handle the bat better--skills that should help him improve his on-base percentage.... Miles' return means IF Luis Gonzalez now will be a part-time starter at various positions. For someone who barely had played above Class AA before this season, he has hit well to the gaps and has been above average defensively at second base and third base.... Not thinking so much works for OF Jeromy Burnitz, who studies less tape than other players and analyzes things far less. He does not want anything to take away from his natural aggressiveness. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The club does not believe RHP Shawn Chacon's struggles in May were related to any physical problems--his fastball never lost velocity or movement, even when he pitched three consecutive days. Rather, it believes Chacon has been caught between being extremely aggressive and playing it safe. Manager Clint Hurdle's theme for his closer is to throw each pitch with conviction.--Thomas Harding