N.L. West.(BASEBALL)

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

RF Shawn Green has come out of his early-season slump by shortening his stroke. He has gone the opposite way more than usual, and though he hasn't hit for as much power as he has in the past, he thinks that will come. Right now, Green is focused on making good contact.... 3B Chad Tracy is hanging in much better against lefthanders this year, so it's no surprise he's hitting them better.... RHP Brandon Medders has been overthrowing his two-seam fastball, muscling it toward the plate rather than trusting the grip to take care of the movement. APRIL SURPRISE: After struggling last year with the As, RHP Juan Cruz has thrived. He has added a cut fastball and improved his control. His presence adds another strikeout pitcher to the staff. Cruz has been effective as a long reliever and as an injury fill-in since joining the rotation.--Steve Gilbert

COLORADO ROCKIES

IF Jamey Carroll's hot hitting led manager Clint Hurdle to move him into the No. 2 spot and drop SS Clint Barmes, who was batting .235, to No. 7.... The pitchers enjoy throwing to C Danny Ardoin, but he is batting below .200 and must do more on offense to justify being in the lineup. His hitting struggles seem to have affected his defense, notably his ability to stop basestealers.... RHP Ramon Ramirez's career as a starter stalled in the Yankees' system, but a small adjustment in the positioning of his fight leg helped him get his fastball, slider and changeup down in the strike zone. The result: 16 strikeouts in his first nine appearances, during which he didn't give up a run. APRIL SURPRISE: RF Brad Hawpe, who hit nine homers last season, already has eight in 2006. His .446 average in his first 15 road games was a key reason for the club's early success.--Thomas Harding

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

LHP Odalis Perez left the club to attend to his ailing mother in the Dominican Republic, but he likely would have missed his next start anyway after failing to protect a 6-run lead in Arizona. Perez has allowed only one earned run in three starts but six or more in three others.... Just when C Dioner Navarro's bat heated up, he took a foul ball off his fight wrist. The injury could limit his playing time and hinder his performance. Navarro ...