N.L. West

Sporting News, The, August 2, 1999

A big series at the BOB

A year ago, the possibility of Arizona's Bank One Ballpark playing host to a key N.L. West series any time soon was remote.

But here we are, a little more than 100 games into the expansion Diamondbacks' second season, and a crucial three-game series looms at the BOB beginning Monday: a matchup of the title-contending D-backs and Giants. Who'd a-thunk it?

No one quite expected these teams to be fighting for the division crown, but Giants manager Dusty Baker's usual deft handling of his roster and D-backs manager Buck Showalter's ability to get a raft of high-priced newcomers to play as a unit (take note, Los Angeles) have upset the projections.

The Diamondbacks, while unaccustomed to a big-series atmosphere, don't figure to be intimidated. They have defeated the Giants in four of six games, building the edge even though Randy Johnson has yet to start against them. A telling statistic: The Giants have a 7.27 ERA against them. Matt Williams (10 RBIs) and Luis Gonzalez (10-for-23) have been outstanding against them.

This time around, the Giants will count on lefthander Kirk Rueter, who owns both of his club's victories against Arizona this season; righthander Russ Ortiz, one of the National League's leading pitchers and possessor of a 1.84 ERA against the D-backs in three appearances over the past two seasons; and slugger Barry Bonds, who has missed four of the head-to-head meetings this season because of injuries.

Is this a must-win series for either team? No. But it's an important one nonetheless.

Arizona

54-45: 1st

Stottlemyre aims for return in mid-August

Although it's unlikely a blockbuster deal will be made to add starting pitching, a major boost may be on the way in the form of RHP Todd Stottlemyre, who is nearing a return to the rotation. For the first time since Stottlemyre landed on the D.L. May 18, the club has mentioned a date for his return. Stottlemyre is tentatively scheduled to come back August 18 against the Cubs. He is scheduled to work in simulated games this week and then head out on a rehabilitation assignment with Class AAA Tucson. If he's healthy, Stottlemyre could add a tremendous spark to the rotation, which has done well in his absence but has definitely missed the fire he brings to the ballclub.

LEARNING PROCESS: There's no denying reliever ByungHyun Kim is talented. Kim's pitches, which some call saucers because of the way he flips them toward the plate much like a Frisbee is thrown, have confounded hitters at times. But sometimes, especially with a runner at second base, Kim will go into a mode that concerns the team. It's as though he stops misting himself and starts to pitch backward, using pitches he is not as comfortable with or does not have the same command of. Kim has major league stuff. The problem is getting him to realize it.... CF Steve Finley insists he's well enough to continue playing every day, and Finley's superb defensive skills merit that. But offensively, there is little doubt his herniated disc is presenting him with problems.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: 2B Jay Bell already has eclipsed his career best for home runs, is dosing in on his high for RBIs and has maintained a fairly high average all season. Earlier this year, Bell mentioned he wanted to have a season like former Cardinals 2B Tommy Herr used to enjoy, driving in 100 runs and scoring 100. Bell is on course to accomplish both. An offseason workout regimen that included his bulking up considerably is at the root of Bell's success. He has not shown any signs of wearing down and appears as fresh as he did in spring training. --Pedro Gomez

GRADING OUT

OFFENSE B

They're finally scoring early, which allows the starters to relax and do their jobs.

PITCHING B

That sigh everyone heard came from the Big Unit, who finally received run support.

DEFENSE B

The way Williams is playing, he appears on course for his fifth Gold Glove.

DIAMONDBACKS

               AVG    G    AB    R     H   HR   RBI

(*)Diaz       .667    2     3    1     2    0     1
Deilucci( )   .394   63   109   27    43    1    15
Gonzalez( )   .349   93   375   66   131   15    65
Williams      .318   98   399   68   127   24    91
Gilkey        .317   59   123   20    39    6    20
Colbrunn      .303   39    66    8    20    2    11
Bell          .285   93   369   83   105   27    72
Fox( )        .278   62   176   21    49    5    25
Womack( )     .275   87   371   70   102    3    28
Miller        .258   58   198   24    51    5    31
Finley( )     .256   97   367   53    94   19    68
Lee( )        .249   94   338   54    84    9    48
Stinnett      .210   54   176   22    37   10    22
(*)Fria(#)    .179   34    56    7    10    0     5

               OBP     SLG   SB    K   BB    E

(*)Diaz       .800   1.333    0    0    2    0
Deilucci( )   .463    .505    2   24   11    0
Gonzalez( )   .413    .557    6   43   40    2
Williams      .355    .564    2   56   25    7
Gilkey        .407    .537    1   23   19    3
Colbrunn      .373    .470    0   13    5    0
Bell          .366    .577    5   78   47   12
Fox( )        .388    .426    2   41   23    9
Womack( )     .333    .369   40   36   33    4
Miller        .294    .404    0   56   10    4
Finley( )     .324    .499    5   60   35    1
Lee( )        .348    .385   17   42   53    3
Stinnett      .275    .403    1   55   12    4
(*)Fria(#)    .292    .232    1    9    9    2