During the first half of a baseball season, numbers get tossed around more than rice at a wedding. The ironic part is the numbers are worth just as much.

But once the All-Star break hits, numbers have a more significant meaning as potential record-breaking performances are dreamed about and numbers are analyzed for late-season callups.

Two of the most popular categories to examine at the midway point are players who can contend for the Triple Crown (both hitting and pitching) and players who might be on pace for the rare 40-40 season (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases).

Since 1984, nine position players have won the Triple Crown in their respective leagues while 14 pitchers have achieved the feat (wins, strikeouts, ERA).

Through July 11, Salem Avalanche first baseman Brad Hawpe (Rockies) is the only player in the minors who held the league lead in all three categories. Hawpe has a .385 batting average, with 15 homers and 63 RBI. Unless a disaster occurs or he gets promoted, Hawpe will win the batting title hands down as he owns a 49-point lead over his nearest competitor. He leads the homer race by just won and the RBI chase by seven.

Louisville's Brandon Larson (Reds) is tied for the Triple-A International League lead with 24 home runs but ranks second in RBI and fourth in hitting. The good news for Larson is that the person he's tied with for homers (Syracuse's Josh Phelps) is with the big league club in Toronto. Larson is only four RBI behind teammate Kevin Witt but is 15 points back of Ottawa's Endy Chavez for the hitting crown.

New Haven's Dee Haynes (Cardinals) leads the Double-A Eastern League with 69 RBI and ranks second with 17 homers and sixth with a .324 batting average.

On the mound, right-hander Travis Hughes (Rangers) of Tulsa in the Double-A Texas League probably owns the best chance for the Triple Crown. He is second in the league with a 2.62 ERA, was tied for fourth with eight wins and was third with 88 strikeouts, only five behind the league leader. Hughes will eventually become the league's ERA leader once Round Rock's Kirk Saarloos fails to meet the innings pitched requirement. Saarloos holds a 1.40 ERA but has spent the last month either in the majors or with Triple-A New Orleans. Saarloos also leads the league with 10 wins and will fall out of the lead as well.

Missoula's Jesus Cota was the last hitter to capture the Triple Crown award when he led the Pioneer league in all three categories a season ago. Jake Peavy was the last hurler to achieve the feat when the Padres' phenom led the rookie level Arizona League in 1999.

After 90 games this season, High Desert first baseman Corey Hart (Brewers) was the only player in the minors who had reached the 20-20 plateau. Hart led the Class A California League with 20 homers and had 22 stolen bases through July 11.

Rancho Cucamonga's Carlos Duncan (Angels) had 20 stolen bases and 15 homers, but he was promoted to Arkansas in the Texas League in late July.

The last player to reach 40-40 in the minors was Len Tucker who accomplished the feat for Pampa in the Southwestern League back in 1956 when he had 51 homers and 47 RBI. Jacques Landry reached the 30-30 mark for Midland last season, hitting 36 homers and stealing 37 bases.

Still going
Fort Myers outfielder Josh Rabe (Twins) broke up a no-hit bid with a two-run single in the bottom of the eighth inning to extend his streak of reaching base safely to 65 games in the Miracle's 3-2 loss to Daytona on July 10.

Rabe, was 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in the contest before knocking a pitch back up the middle to plate both runs. This is the eighth time the 23-year-old extended his streak in his last at-bat. Fittingly, he was the only player to reach base for Fort Myers.

The next night, Rabe went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in his last at-bat in the eighth inning of Fort Myers' 10-4 loss to Daytona on July 11, pushing his streak to 66 consecutive games.

Rabe passed Craig Thompson, who reached base safely in 63 consecutive games for Idaho Falls and Fort Wayne from June 28, 2000 to May 25, 2001. Kevin Millar owned the longest streak since 1997 when he reached base safely in 72 consecutive games from 1997-1999 with Triple-A Portland, Charlotte and Calgary.

Group effort
Kingsport right-handers Maikel Deleon and Anthony Acosta and left-hander Domingo Morban combined on a no-hitter in the Mets' 7-0 victory over Bluefield on Independence Day.

DeLeon pitched three perfect innings with five strikeouts to start the contest. Morban issued a pair of walks and fanned two batters among the seven that he faced.

Acosta issued a walk and struck out four of the final six hitters for his first win in 22 career appearances, improving to 1-1 in five outings with a team-leading 17 strikeouts and just one walk over 10 1/3 innings for the season.

Highlights
Akron (Double-A Eastern League) left-hander Brian Tallet (Indians) won his sixth consecutive start and outfielder Ryan Church homered with five RBI to lead the Aeros to a 17-5 triumph at Erie on July 4. Tallet allowed four runs and six hits with five strikeouts and a walk over seven innings, improving to 10-1 over his last 17 appearances. He became only the second pitcher in the minors to win six straight starts this season. Church, playing in his 19th game since being promoted from Kinston in the Class A Carolina League, singled home a run in the third inning, crushed a three-run blast in the eighth and collected an RBI on an infield error in the ninth.

Arkansas (Double-A Texas League) third baseman Mike Christensen (Angels) singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to help the Travelers beat Tulsa, 8-7, on July 6, and earn a split of a doubleheader. With two outs and runners on second and third, Christensen deposited his first hit of the game into left field.

Bristol (Class A Appalachian League) outfielder Darren Ciraco hit three doubles, homered and drove home a career-high six runs in a 16-6 victory over Johnson City on July 7. Ciraco lined an RBI double in the third inning, ripped a two-run two-bagger in the fourth and doubled home a run in the sixth. In the seventh, he connected on the front end of back-to-back homers with Charles Lisk, a two-run shot.

Edmonton (Pacific Coast League) right-hander Adam Johnson (Twins) won his fifth straight start and first baseman Todd Sears had five RBI in the Trappers' 11-7 victory at Sacramento on July 5. Johnson allowed four runs and eight hits with four strikeouts and five walks over five frames. Sears lined a two-run double and scored in the third inning, singled home a pair of runs and scored in the fourth and laced a run-scoring base hit in the eighth for his 17th multi-RBI game of the season.

El Paso (Texas League) third baseman Chad Tracy (Diamondbacks) hit an RBI single in the 15th inning to give the Diablos a 2-1 victory over San Antonio on July 4 in a 4-hour, 33-minute game. Tracy pulled an offering from Elvis Polanco through the right side, scoring Matt Kata with the eventual game-winning run.

Hickory (Class A South Atlantic League) outfielder Aron Weston (Pirates) had a pair of hits and a career-high six RBI in a 10-6 win at Hagerstown on July 8. Weston drew a bases-loaded walk in the first inning and hit into a run-scoring groundout in the third. He connected on a three-run homer in the fifth, just his sixth career longball in four seasons, and capped a four-run sixth with an RBI single.

Kane County (Class A Midwest League) third baseman Mike Tucker (Marlins) went 4-for-6 and drove in four runs, recording his sixth consecutive multi-hit game, to lead the Cougars past South Bend, 12-7 on July 5. Tucker, a 14th-round selection by the Marlins in the 2001 draft, doubled home a run in the top of the first inning, hit an RBI single in the fourth, laced a base hit in the sixth and collected a two-run two-bagger in the ninth.

Lancaster (Class A California League) outfielder Victor Hall (Diamondbacks) tied a franchise record with seven RBI in the JetHawks' 21-2 pounding of San Bernardino on July 10. Hall was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in the second inning and scored when Jay Bell, who is rehabbing from a torn right calf muscle, hit a grand slam. It was the third grand slam for Lancaster in less than a week. The 21-year-old crushed a three-run shot in the third inning, singled home a run in the seventh and laced a two-run base hit in the eighth. Hall surpassed his previous best of four RBI, which he recorded on August 16, 2001. The Jethawks established season highs with 21 runs, 21 hits and 20 RBI.

New Haven (Eastern League) first baseman John Gall (Cardinals) smacked his minor league-leading 33rd double of the season, a Ravens season record, in a 7-6 triumph over New Britain on July 7. The previous record of 32 doubles was set by both Chris Kirgan and Wonderful "Terrific" Monds in 1998.

Oneonta (Class A New York-Penn League) outfielder Wilton Reynolds (Tigers) drove home the go-ahead run in the top of the 16th inning, his 10th consecutive game with an RBI, to help the Tigers outlast Tri-City, 4-3 on July 6. Reynolds singled home Ed Romprey with two outs in the frame. It was the longest game in the New York-Penn League since Hudson Valley and Utica played into the 18th inning on July 7th, 1999.

Ottawa (International League) outfielder Endy Chavez (Expos) extended his hitting streak to a franchise-best 25 games in the Lynx's 9-4 loss to Rochester on July 7, heading into the All-Star break. During his hitting streak, Chavez was hitting .377 (40-for-106) with seven doubles, a triple, two homers and 13 RBI. Chavez's hitting streak, which was the longest current streak in the minors, was the longest in the International League since Alex Ramirez hit safely in 28 straight games for Buffalo back in 1998.

Round Rock (Texas League) catcher John Buck (Astros) drove home the tying and go-ahead runs in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Express over El Paso, 2-1, on July 9. With runners on second and third and one out, Buck lined his 20th double of the season into right field to give Round Rock its first lead.

Salt Lake (Pacific Coast League) outfielder Gary Johnson (Angels) homered twice with a career-high seven RBI in the Stingers' 9-3 victory over Omaha on July 5. Johnson belted a three-run shot in the second inning for his first longball in his last 15 games, singled in the fifth and launched a grand slam in the seventh for the third multi-homer game of his four-year career.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (International League) right-hander Brett Myers (Phillies) struck out 10 batters and drove in three runs in the Red Barons' 8-3 triumph over Ottawa on July 5. Myers allowed three runs and seven hits without issuing a walk over eight innings for the win. He retired 18 of the first 20 batters through six scoreless innings before giving up three runs and five hits over the seventh and eighth. Myers ripped a three-run double that capped a five-run fifth inning for his seventh career RBI.

The following night, right-hander Joe Roa recorded his minor-league leading 14th win, a combined one-hit shutout, in the Red Barons' 1-0 triumph over Syracuse on July 6. Roa allowed a hit, issued a walk and struck out four batters over eight innings to improve to 14-0 in 17 starts with a 1.86 ERA, the 10th-best in the National Association. The 30-year-old retired the first 14 batters and carried a no-hitter through five frames before yielding a leadoff base hit in the sixth. Roa owned the longest winning streak in the minors since Bud Smith won 15 straight decisions between the Texas League and Pacific Coast League from May 6-August 21 of 2000. He was promoted to Philadelphia after the game.

Shreveport (Texas League) first baseman Lance Niekro (Giants) drove home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lead the Swamp Dragons to a 5-4 victory in game two of a doubleheader split against Wichita on July 9. With one out and a runner on second, Niekro singled into left-center field, scoring teammate Todd Linden.

Leaders (through July 4)
AVERAGE (Minimum 210 TPA): Brad Hawpe, Salem, .385; ON BASE PERCENTAGE: Brad Hawpe, Salem, .480; SLUGGING PERCENTAGE: Jason Stokes, Kane County, .669; HITS: Joe Thurston, Las Vegas, 125; HOME RUNS: Josh Phelps, Syracuse and Brandon Larson, Louisville, 24; RBI: Brad Nelson, Beloit, 78; STOLEN BASES: Wayne Lydon, Columbus, 60; DOUBLES: Brad Nelson, Beloit, John Gall, New Haven and Miguel Cabrera, Jupiter, 33; TRIPLES: Jose Reyes, Binghamton, 14; RUNS: Lew Ford, New Britain, 80; WALKS: Graham Koonce, Midland, 88; STRIKEOUTS: Jorge Soto, Visalia, 126; ERRORS: Bronson Sardinha, Greensboro, 33.

BEST ERA (70 IP): Ray Aguilar, Myrtle Beach, 1.16; WORST ERA (70 IP): Jim Parque, Charlotte (INT), 8.16; WINS: Joe Roa, Scranton, 14; LOSSES: Yoel Hernandez, Clearwater, 13; SAVES: Dan Carraso, Lynchburg, Juan Padilla, New Britain and Manny Aybar, Fresno, 24; COMPLETE GAMES: Rich Fischer, Rancho Cucamonga, 5; GAMES: Troy Brohawn, Fresno, 47; INNINGS PITCHED: Dan Haren, Potomac, 132.0; STRIKEOUTS: Rich Fischer, Rancho Cucamonga, 138.

BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE/CLUB (Full Season): Akron (Indians), .692 (63-28); Stockton (Reds), .659 (60-31); Lynchburg (Pirates), .656 (59-31); Scranton-WB (Phillies) .637 (58-33).

BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE/CLUB (Short Season): Great Falls, (Dodgers), .792 (19-5); Gulf Coast Yankees (Yankees), .750 (15-5); Bluefield (Orioles), .714 (15-6); Oneonta (Tigers), .696 (16-7).

BEST WINNING PERCENTAGE/ORGANIZATION: Houston Astros (.577); Cleveland Indians (.572); Pittsburgh Pirates (.571).

Top pitching performances
Augusta (Class A South Atlantic League) left-hander Phil Dumatrait (Red Sox) pitched his first career shutout in the Green Jackets' 3-0 victory at Columbia on July 4. Dumatrait yielded two hits, hit a batter and struck out six without issuing a walk in his first complete game, improving to 7-3 with a 2.80 ERA over 17 starts in his third season as a pro. The 20-year-old spun 5 1/3 perfect frames before allowing a base hit and then retired 10 of the final 12 batters. Selected 22nd overall by the Red Sox in the 2000 draft, the California native allowed just three runs over his last four starts.

Columbus (International League) right-hander Mike Thurman (Yankees) pitched a season-high 8 1/3 innings in a 2-0 victory over Louisville on July 7. Thurman, who pitched his only complete-game shutout with Jupiter last season, allowed four hits, struck out five and issued a pair of walks.

Daytona (Class A Florida State League) left-hander Aaron Krawiec (Cubs) came within one out of his first career complete-game shutout but still got the win with 8 2/3 scoreless innings of work as the Cubs downed Lakeland, 2-0, on July 4. Krawiec, who went the distance only once in his brief three-year career, allowed just two hits, struck out seven and issued a pair of walks. Krawiec retired seven in a row on two separate occasions and set down eight in a row before allowing a two-out single to Juan Camilo in the ninth.

Midland (Texas League) left-hander John Rheinecker (A's) pitched his first career shutout in the RockHounds' 2-0 triumph over San Antonio on July 9. Rheinecker scattered five hits, gave up a hit batter and a walk, and struck out three in the first complete game of his two-year career. The 23-year-old retired the side in order in the third and fifth frames and set down nine of the final 10 batters.

Sarasota (Florida State League) left-hander Jorge De La Rosa pitched his first career shutout to lead the Red Sox to a 2-0 victory over Brevard County on July 10. De La Rosa scattered five hits, threw a wild pitch and matched a season-high of seven strikeouts without issuing a walk, in the first complete game of his career. The 21-year-old retired 15 of the first 17 batters and 10 of the final 11, fanning four of five hitters between the third and fourth frames.

Vero Beach (Florida State League) right-hander Joel Hanrahan pitched a no-hitter versus Brevard County on July 4 as the Dodgers picked up a 5-1 victory. Hanrahan allowed a run and two walks, striking out seven, in six innings of work as the game was called after the sixth because of rain. It was Hanrahan's second no-hitter of the season. The 20-year-old fanned six and issued three walks over nine innings against Jupiter on April 21.

Streaking
Billings (rookie level-Pioneer League) outfielder Michael Bassett drove home a run in his 12th straight game during the Mustangs' 12-9 defeat of the Blue Jays on July 8. Bassett, who finished 2-for-5 with a run scored, laced an RBI single during a three-run eighth inning. The streak was finally broken July 10 when Bassett failed to get an RBI versus Idaho Falls. Bassett's 12-game run marked the longest streak in the minors since Jason Jones posted 13 consecutive games last season for Charlotte of the Florida State League and the most in a Short-Season league since 1997.

Bowie (Eastern League) outfielder Scott Hunter did not walk in 33 consecutive games June 1-July 5 (27-121, 7 2B, 8 RBI, 3 SB).

Chattanooga (Southern League) outfielder Mike Edwards went 1-for-4 with a second-inning single during a 2-0 loss to Tennessee on July 11, extending his hitting streak to a league-high 18 straight games.

Charleston, W.V. (South Atlantic League) outfielder Maikel Jova hit safely in 16 straight games (29-72, 7 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 2 SB) June 23-July 10, raising his average from .248 to .287.

Fresno (Pacific Coast League) right-hander Manny Aybar saved six straight games June 25-July 7 (6 1/3 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 8 SO).

High Desert (California League) right-hander Ryan Miller went 5-0 with a 2.37 ERA in 18 games May 12-July 10 (60 2/3 IP, 50 H, 18 R, 16 ER, 26 BB, 55 SO).

Kane County (Midwest League) left-hander Dontrelle Willis won his fifth straight start, tossing eight solid innings in the Cougars' 9-1 triumph over Beloit on July 10. Willis yielded a run, scattered five hits, hit three batters and struck out four without issuing a walk, improving to 6-0 with a 1.22 ERA over eight starts June 3-July 10.

Mobile (Southern League) left-hander Mike Bynum captured his fourth straight win with eight scoreless innings in the BayBears' 2-0 shutout of Birmingham on July 8. Bynum yielded a third-inning single, hit a batter and walked one for the win. He spent most the previous two seasons on the disabled list and already made a pair of trips to the DL this season with an elbow injury and a strained groin.

New Orleans (Pacific Coast League) right-hander Kirk Saarloos recorded his 11th straight win in the Zephyrs' 3-1 victory over Tucson on July 4. Making his Triple-A debut, Saarloos yielded a run and four hits with nine strikeouts and a walk issued over eight innings. The 23-year-old was promoted from Round Rock of the Texas League to the majors on June 18. He was optioned to New Orleans on June 29. Over his last 13 minor league appearances, Saarloos was 11-0 with a 0.52 ERA.

Norwich (Eastern League) right-hander Julio De Paula spun his third consecutive complete game and struck out 13 batters for the fourth time in his career in the Navigators' 9-3 victory at Portland on July 4. De Paula, who posted back-to-back shutouts in his two prior outings, allowed three runs, scattered nine hits and issued a pair of walks in his fifth career complete game.

Orlando (Southern League) first baseman Dan Grummitt snapped his string of 16 consecutive games without an RBI with a solo home run during a 3-2 loss to the Suns on July 8.

Quad City (Midwest League) second baseman Jesus Merchan hit safely in 18 straight games (31-77, 5 2B, 1 HR, 7 RBI) June 15-July 8, raising his average from .228 to .288, matching the longest hitting streak in the league this season.

Reading (Eastern League) left-hander Greg Kubes won his fifth consecutive start in the Phillies' 8-4 victory over Altoona on July 6. Kubes allowed three runs and eight hits with a strikeout and two walks issued over seven innings, improving to 6-0 with a 2.09 ERA in his last eight starts. The 25-year-old improved to 10-4 with a 3.21 ERA in 18 starts -- his third double-digit win season of his career.

Salem (Carolina League) first baseman Brad Hawpe reached base safely by hit or walk in 27 consecutive games June 9-July 8 (36-96, 8 2B, 3 HR, 18 RBI).

San Bernardino (California League) left-hander Russ Morgan won his 10th straight decision in the Stampede's 7-5 victory at Lancaster on July 9. Morgan allowed two runs and four hits, striking out four and walking a pair over 3 2/3 innings in relief. Morgan, who is just 1-1 as a starter, won eight of his last 10 relief appearances. The New York native had a scoreless streak snapped at 17 1/3 innings.

Shreveport (Texas League) first baseman Lance Niekro did not walk in 44 consecutive games May 17-July 9 (51-169, 9 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 17 RBI).

Toledo (International League) right-hander Nate Cornejo won his fifth straight decision in the Mud Hens 3-2 victory at Columbus on July 5. Cornejo allowed two runs and scattered six hits with a pair of strikeouts and a walk issued over eight innings.

Trenton (Eastern League) shortstop Freddy Sanchez reached base safely by hit or walk in 39 consecutive games May 15-July 7 (53-153, 9 2B, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 13 SB).

Lowlights
Brevard County (Florida State League) right-hander Shane Arthurs went 0-8 with a 5.12 ERA in 30 games May 4-July 8 (63 1/3 IP, 74 H, 47 R, 36 ER, 31 BB, 34 SO). Arthurs, who has not won a game this season, was moved back to the bullpen and allowed two runs -- one earned -- and three hits in three innings of relief but took the loss in a 4-2 defeat to St. Lucie on July 8.

El Paso (Texas League) catcher Brad Cresse tied a Texas League record by striking out six times in the game during a 2-1 victory over San Antonio on July 4. Tony Eusebio set the mark in 1991 and Edwin Diaz equaled it in 1997.

Hagerstown (South Atlantic League) outfielder Arturo McDowell, a 1998 first-round pick who has not progressed, went 2-for-29 in his first seven games since joining the club from Shreveport (.181, 0 HR, 11 RBI). "Bubba" entered this season with a career average of .225, 10 homers and 447 strikeouts in 1,491 at-bats.

Ogden (Pioneer League) third baseman Jeffrey Eure went 0-for-16 with 11 strikeouts in four games July 3-6. Eure struck out in 10 consecutive games July 1-10 (8-40, 22 SO).

South Bend (Midwest League) right-hander Jay Bulger went 0-8 with a 6.63 ERA in 13 games April 10-July 10 (55 2/3 IP, 77 H, 52 R, 41 ER, 28 BB, 53 SO). In his last outing on July 10, Bulger was tagged for four runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings of work, taking the loss as the Sliver Hawks fell to West Michigan, 5-0.