N.L. reports

Sporting News, The, July 12, 2004

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS WHAT WENT HGHT: 2B Scott Hairston showed he can hit in the big leagues, displaying a quick bat and a good eye. CF Steve Finley and RF Danny Bautista, both potential free agents, played well and should be attractive trade bait as the club rebuilds. LHP Randy Johnson's perfect game and 4,000th career strikeout gave fans a reason to watch the team. WHAT WENT WRONG: 1B Richie Sexson's season-ending shoulder injury crippled the offense. Without Sexson in the cleanup spot, LF Luis Gonzalez saw few pitches to hit, and the rest of the lineup pressed. RHP Matt Mantei's struggles as the closer led to early losses and set the tone for the first half. C Robby Hammock and SS Alex Cintron underperformed. The pitchers walked far too many hitters, and the defense was poor. KEEP AN EYE ON: Cintron, 25, has regressed at the plate and in the field. Too often, he swings at the first pitch and puts himself behind in the count. His fielding range seems to be shrinking, and some in the organization question his work habits. That said, he has a fresh start with interim manager Al Pedrique, who managed Cintron at Class AAA Tucson. BOTTOM LINE: The club must get some value in trades for some of its veterans and decide which of its young players can be counted on in the future.--Steve Gilbert

ATLANTA BRAVES WHAT WENT RIGHT: With help from the Phillies and Marlins and consistent production from RF J.D. Drew and C Johnny Estrada, the team remained in the division race. Drew has tremendous power and a dependable glove, and Estrada rarely has missed an opportunity to drive in a run. RHP Jaret Wright has been a pleasant surprise; he could be somebody's ace in the near future. WRAT WENT WRONG: Whether it was SS Rafael Furcal (back), 2B Marcus Giles (collarbone) or LF Chipper Jones (hamstring), the team couldn't keep its key players healthy. CF Andrew Jones and Chipper Jones (when healthy) weren't threats at the plate. The club's top two starters, RHP Russ Ortiz and LHP Mike Hampton, were inconsistent. KEEP AN EYE ON: Manager Bobby Cox often says the law of averages will work out over the course of a season with a player of Chipper Jones' caliber. Although it's unlikely Jones will reach the 100-RBI plateau for the ninth straight season, it's highly probable he will overcome his injury-plagued first half to again be a consistent threat from both sides of the plate. BOTTOM LINE: The Braves are a legitimate contender at full strength, which they should be after the break. But they need the Joneses and their top two starters to show consistency.--Mark Bowman

CHICAGO CUBS WHAT WENT RIGHT: The bench was productive, deep and necessary. 2B Todd Walker filled in so well for Mark Grudzielanek, he was considered a possible All-Star. LHP Glendon Rusch and RHP Sergio Mitre kept the Cubs in contention while RHPs Kerry Wood and Mark Prior were sidelined, and RHP LaTroy Hawkins stepped in as closer for RHP Joe Borowski. 1B Derrek Lee followed a dismal .233 April with a .385 batting average in June. C Michael Barrett has provided anticipated offense and has been better than expected on defense. WHAT WENT WRONG: Injuries, injuries and more injuries. The Cubs put a player on the D.L. 13 times, including LHP Mike Remlinger twice. And the players sidelined weren't backups---they included power-hitting RF Sammy Sosa, Borowski (33 saves in 2003), Prior (18 victories last season), Wood and No. 1 SS Alex Gonzalez. Manager Dusty Baker had trouble setting his lineup. KEEP AN EYE ON: 3B Aramis Ramirez is off to the best start of his career. He has been hitting early every day and has worked on his footwork to improve his defensive play. He's on pace to hit 32 home runs and drive in 116 runs--provided a recent groin injury doesn't slow him. BOTTOM LINE: The Cubs don't need to make any trades; they just need to get healthy. The team should be close to full strength shortly after the All-Star break.--Carrie Muskat

CINCINNATI REDS WHAT WENT RIGHT: The pitchers were good enough to keep the team in games. They stuck with their strike-throwing philosophy and issued fewer walks, thus limiting big innings. The defense was much better. It wasn't flashy, but it made almost all the routine plays and helped reduce the number of unearned runs. WHAT WENT WRONG: Injuries continued to be the team's biggest problem. The Reds were without RF Austin Kearns (thumb) for most of the first half, and they don't expect him back until the end of the month at the earliest. Backup OF John Vander Wal (knee) missed the entire first half. The already thin squad was without SS Barry Larkin, CF Ken Griffey, 1B Scan Casey, C Jason LaRue and 2B D'Angelo Jimenez for stretches. KEEP AN EYE ONI With Kearns out, OF Wily Mo Pena has been playing regularly for the first time in his career, and he's making the most of the opportunity. Pena still has difficulties in the field but is showing he has what it takes to hit in the majors. If he keeps progressing, he'll be invaluable as a reserve when Kearns comes back. BOTTOM LINE: Someone other than Casey needs to be consistent at the plate, and the starting pitching must improve because the bullpen has been taxed in the first half and could tire down the stretch.--Todd Lorenz