N.L. (Baseball).

Arizona Diamondbacks

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63-41 1st in West

A HARBINGER? The starting pitching's recent performance gave the team reason to feel good about its rotation down the stretch. LHP Brian Anderson continued his monthlong stretch of solid work, RHP Miguel Batista threw a complete game against the Rockies, and rookie RHP John Patterson, called up when RHP Rick Helling (sprained ankle) went on the D.L., allowed one run in 13 1/3 innings in two starts against the Padres. Granted, Patterson was pitching against a weak-hitting team, but it showed Arizona does not have to trade for a starter.... With Damian Miller on the D.L. (lower-back sprain), Chad Moeller and Rod Barajas will split the catching duties at least through August 8. An MRI showed a sprained ligament in Miller's lower back, which was leading to the back spasms. The Diamondbacks have already used the disabled list a team-record 19 times, three more than all of last season.

SCOUTING REPORT: RHP Matt Mantei, formerly a closer, came back June 28, a little more than a year after reconstructive elbow surgery. He is being used in a variety of roles, but it's most important that he pitch. As is typical with pitchers who have undergone the Tommy John procedure, his velocity has been inconsistent.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: When 3B Matt Williams came off the D.L. after the All-Star break, manager Bob Brenly faced a quandary: four players for three positions. Craig Counsell's ability to play second base, shortstop or third base, however, made it possible for Brenly to rest any of the four (the other two being SS Tony Womack and 2B Junior Spivey) and still field a complete infield. In the first 17 games after the break, Williams was the odd man out of the lineup seven times, Womack six times and Counsell and Spivey twice each.--Ed Price

JULY GRADES