11.   Imagine how large the division lead would be if the fourth and fifth spots in the starting rotation had performed better.

12.   It enabled them to increase their division lead over Baltimore to four games just before they begin a four-game series at Yankee Stadium against the Orioles.

13.   It would move them closer to the division lead and set up consecutive showdowns with the Eagles and the Giants.

14.   No better example of that came late last season as the Angels lost their division lead in September to the Texas Rangers.

15.   Nomo walked only one and hit one batter in a dominating performance that vaulted the Dodgers back into the division lead, a half-game ahead of Colorado.

16.   Now, Strawberry has helped the Giants pare eight games off the division lead held by his former team.

17.   Nor was executive vice president Fred Claire taken to task for foisting an ill-conceived roster move on a team already struggling to retain its division lead.

18.   Only Chicago is not challenging for a division lead.

19.   On the other hand, a Mississippi win moves it within a game of the division lead. . . .

20.   Others say waiting for the wounded to bail them out is dangerous, and that precious opportunity to seize the division lead before they return is being wasted.