NATIONAL LEAGUE.

Arizona

33-22:1st

As Finley struggles at plate, Dellucci, Bautista man center

When David Dellucci started in center field last Saturday, it was the fourth time in eight games Steve Finley wasn't in the lineup. Manager Bob Brenly says he still considers Finley his regular center fielder but that he has not seen good signs from Finley lately. He also indicated Dellucci and Danny Bautista could get more starts in center in the near future. Finley's offensive problems seem to be more mental than because of a flaw in his stroke. As one scout describes it, Finley seems to be taking pitches in the strike zone and swinging at pitches out of it. He has one homer since April 26 and three extrabase hits since May 6.... If LHP Brian Anderson, who left his start last Saturday with a strained left groin and will miss his next outing, winds up on the disabled list, RHP Nick Bierbrodt, a former No. 1 pick, is a candidate to take his place in the rotation.

SCOUTING REPORT: Once a spray hitter with below-average power, LF Luis Gonzalez has become a complete hitter. The lefthander stands close to the plate and gives himself a chance to hit outside pitches to left field. But since playing a season at Tiger Stadium, Gonzalez has opened his stance. Now, if pitchers come inside to try to keep him off the plate and miss, Gonzalez can turn on the pitch and deposit it in the right-field stands. He has a below-average arm in left but has good hands and tracks the ball well.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: 2B Jay Bell in the cleanup spot? Brenly has his reasons. With 3B Matt Williams (hamstring) out, Brenly needs someone to bat fourth. And with his recent experiment with Finley hitting second-between stolen-base threat SS Tony Womack and hot-hitting Gonzalez, to get Finley easier pitches to hit-Brenly has three lefties atop the order. Putting the righthanded Bell in the fourth spot makes it a little harder on the other manager late in the game. And Bell is not without power; he averaged more than 24 homers per season between 1997 and 2000. --Ed Price

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