N.L. (Baseball).

Arizona Diamondback

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67-43 1st in West

DURAZO BACK IN THE SWING: Since spending a month on the D.L., 1B Erubiel Durazo has made six starts, hitting three homers and driving in 11 runs. During Durazo's rehabilitation assignment, Class AAA Tucson hitting coach Rick Schu helped Durazo regain his stroke. Durazo says trying to pull the ball caused his slumps earlier this year, but now he is concentrating on using all fields. Both his homers last Saturday went to dead center.... LHP Randy Johnson has snapped out of a recent funk. Last week against the Expos, Johnson had 15 strikeouts, his most since April 21. Johnson also pitched his first complete game since April despite throwing 149 pitches. That was Johnson's highest total since August 1997. In his first five July starts, Johnson was 1-2 with a 5.34 ERA. In winning two starts since, Johnson allowed one run and 12 hits in 16 innings while striking out 23. One sign Johnson has regained his stuff is that he again is relying mostly on his fastball and slider.

SCOUTING REPORT: C Chad Moeller is getting the bulk of the playing time with C Damian Miller (back spasms) on the D.L. The pitchers seem to favor Moeller's catching style, and manager Bob Brenly likes Moeller's ability to make a pitch slightly off the plate look like a strike. His weakness was throwing, but that is improving. Some believe Moeller, a line-drive hitter, has more offensive upside than C Rod Barajas.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The bullpen has blown a save in each of LHP Brian Anderson's last three starts. Blown saves have cost him five wins this season. All four runners on base this year when Anderson has left the game have scored. Anderson is 5-7 with a 4.84 ERA, but with a perfect bullpen he would be 10-7 with a 4.55 ERA. He has not lost since June 23.--Ed Price

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