NATIONAL LEAGUE.(team-by-team analysis)

Arizona 15-15: 4th

Benching a veteran isn't easy when he keeps hitting

Because he has an older team, manager Bob Brenly plans to give his veterans occasional days off, even this early in the season. But pulling the trigger on a day off for LF Luis Gonzalez, 33, is not easy considering he tied a major league record with 13 home runs in April. Brenly had intended to rest Gonzalez one day on the recent trip to Montreal and New York, but when the offense sputtered as a whole, Brenly said he needed Gonzalez's bat in the lineup. Gonzalez wants to play. He started all 162 games last season, the only N.L. player to do so.

SCOUTING REPORT: 2B Jay Bell retains some of the main attributes of a good No. 2 hitter, which he was for the Pirates. Bell is patient, not afraid to get behind in the count. And in the first inning he can work a pitcher, fouling balls off to give his teammates a look at the pitcher's repertoire. Bell has shown some signs of the power he displayed in 1999, though his home runs will mostly come on pitchers' mistakes. Defensively, Bell has good hands, but his range is below average. A shortstop until late in the 1998 season, Bell is fair at turning the double play. He won't make many errors, but there are plays it seems he should make and doesn't.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: LHP Brian Anderson's top asset is his control. But, at times, his determination not to walk batters has cost him, most notably in giving up home runs. Now Anderson says he has changed his philosophy. If he falls behind a dangerous hitter, he won't just groove a pitch to avoid a walk. He may approach some 2-0 counts like 1-2 counts. A recent example came at Montreal, when Anderson fell behind OF Vladimir Guerrero 2-0 twice and went on to walk him both times. Guerrero has had great success against Anderson, who says, "I think I've learned the benefit of, `Hey let's not give this guy anything to hit. And if he chases, great, and if he doesn't, let's go to work on the next guy.' I think that's just growing as a pitcher more than anything else." --Ed Price

Dugout Signals

Manager Bob Brenly praised Craig Counsell for his play while filling in for SS Tony Womack, who missed a week because of the death of his father. Should Womack have defensive lapses or not show improved patience in the leadoff spot, Counsell could get more playing time.