" David Wright 's offense since returning from the disabled list has been dominant, even ridiculous: a .459 batting average, two home runs and 12 RBI in eight games. His defense has been shakier, with three errors, and a few more wobbly throws.

Infield coach Chip Hale noticed that Wright was dropping his arm angle a bit too severely while throwing from third to first, and suggested a small correction. That, along with more major league repetition after two months away with a back injury, has resulted in incremental progress.

"His timing was just a little bit off," Hale said. "The game was moving a little quick for him.

"His game speed on defense hadn't come to where it was on offense.... His timing on the throws was bad. Balls weren't even making it."

Although Hale wants Wright todown on throws after fielding balls to his left, he felt that Wright was overdoing that a bit, the result of rusty mechanics and timing.

"We've got him a little more over the top," Hale said. "Always when the ball is hit at him, to his right, we want to get him on top. He has different angles towards first base, but since he came back we're trying to get him a a little more over the top.""