[batted balls]

May 1, 2006

A seven-game winning streak has lifted sizzling Arizona State to a five-game lead in the West.

"Things have definitely gone right for us," Sun Devils' manager Bobby Winkles said. "This is a tough division. The more wins we can rack up, the better."

Arizona State, 22-5, has won nine of its last 10 games. Meanwhile, Stanford has moved into second place. The Cardinal, 17-10, have won eight of its last 10 games. USC, 16-11, slipped to third.

West Standings
Arizona State 22-5 --
Stanford 17-10 5
Southern Cal 16-11 6
Oklahoma State 14-13 8
Texas 14-13 8
Cal State Fullerton 13-14 9
Cal 12-15 10
UCLA 11-16 11
Arizona 8-19 14
San Diego State 8-19 14

Player of the Week: Steve Kemp, USC (shown below)
Player of the Month: Mark McGwire, USC
Pitcher of the Month: Floyd Bannister, Arizona State
Stat of the Week: Steve Kemp of USC hit three home runs in a 13-5 over Cal State Fullerton. Kemp, 3-for-4, drove in six runs. His last homer was a grand slam.

Team-by-Team April Review
Arizona State: A balanced attack has been the key for the Sun Devils. Floyd Bannister (4-0), Craig Swan (3-0), Paul Moskau (2-0), Sean Lowe (3-0) and Larry Gura (1-0) all sport perfect records. Bob Horner is batting .328 with 13 home runs and 32 RBIs. Oddibe McDowell (.333-11-24) has also been a force. Bump Wills leads the West with a .389 average. Arizona State has turned a league-leading 41 double plays.
Stanford: Pitching has lifted the Cardinal into second place. Stanford is first in team ERA (2.61), opponents' average (.219) and runs allowed (85). Mike Mussina (2-2, 1.87 ERA), Jack McDowell (2-1, 2.53), Jim Lonborg (2-1, 2.86), Dave Frost (2-2, 1.32) and Ernie Nevers (2-0, 1.86) have proven to be the league's best starters for the season's first month. Closer Steve Chitren has shut the door with a league-best 10 saves. Stanford has committed a league-low 30 errors to back its solid pitching.
USC: While the Stanford pitchers have thrived, the Trojans have struggled. The starters, led by Mark Prior (5-1, 2.95 ERA), have done a decent job but a leaky bullpen has done in USC. Offensively, the Trojans are dangerous. USC leads the league in team average (.290), home runs (56) and runs scored (180). Mark McGwire (.373-21-44) and Fred Lynn (.367-5-16) are the leaders of the onslaught.
Oklahoma State: Gary Ward's Cowboys have been an up-and-down team. Staff ace Allie Reynolds (0-3, 4.95 ERA) has been a huge disappointment. Short stop Gary Green (.330-3-20) has been the best performer of offense. Pete Incaviglia is hitting .284 with eight home runs and 16 RBIs. Robin Ventura, just 2-for-his-last 20, has seen his average slip to .301.
Texas: Cliff Gustafson has been scratching his head over the Longhorns' dip in the standings. Texas has lost eight of its last 10 games. Poor pitching has been at the forefront of the demise. Roger Clemens is just 1-3 with a 3.89 ERA despite striking out 44 batters in 44 innings. Burt Hooton has replaced ineffective Dennis Cook (1-3, 4.25) in the rotation. Ron Gardenhire (.340-2-15) sets the table for Ernie Koy and Grady Hatton (five home runs each).
Cal State Fullerton: Jeff Robinson, slowed by a sore shoulder, is 3-1 with a 1.79 ERA. Closer Mike Schooler has racked up 14 strikeouts in just 10 innings en route to six saves. Aaron Rowand (.340-1-10) and Dante Powell (.290-5-17) are the offensive leaders.
Cal: Oval Overall (3-1, 2.11 ERA) has been the most consistent starter for the Golden Bears. Sam Chapman (.308-8-17), Jeff Kent (.301-5-17) and Rod Booker (.282-3-18) spark the offense. First baseman Kevin Maas has been called up from the minors.
UCLA: Injuries have taken their toll on the Bruins. Closer Jim York (1-1, one save) is out at least five weeks with a pulled triceps muscle. Lefties Pat Clements and Floyd Chiffer will share that role. There's worse news for left-handed starter Mike Magnante whose career appears to be over due to torn elbow ligaments. Bob Hamelin (.289-12-30) and Troy Glaus (.279-7-23) power the offense. Jackie Robinson (.278-1-19-no stolen bases) needs to get on track.
Arizona: Jerry Kindall's Wildcats are last in team average and team ERA. Don Lee is the lone starter with a winning record at 3-1. Joe Magrane is a disappointing 1-5 with a 6.67 ERA. Jason Bates leads the team with a .341 average while Kenny Lofton is batting just .236 with two steals.
San Diego State: Only one starting pitcher (John Andrews) posted a win in the season's opening month. Player-manager Tony Gwynn (.296-5-14), first baseman Mark Grace (.366-3-14) and DH Travis Lee (.232-8-19) have been the keys to the offense.