11.   Alfonso Soriano had two hits, Bernie Williams slammed a two-run double and some middle relievers contributed solid work.

12.   Brown, a Cy Young candidate, proves far less efficient as a middle reliever than as starter.

13.   But after failed stints with the Cubs and Mets, Rojas is merely an overpaid middle reliever.

14.   But Pisciotta persevered and made it to the majors, where he is a middle reliever for the Cubs.

15.   But the chance to have a more defined role than middle reliever or mop-up man is intriguing to Masaoka.

16.   Carrasco has been an occasional closer with Cincinnati and Kansas City but mostly has been a middle reliever.

17.   Daal battled him the entire way, which is what the Diamondbacks expected from the middle reliever turned quality starter last year.

18.   Dave Mlicki, who has pitched three scoreless innings in his last two relief appearances, will probably see more action as the primary middle reliever.

19.   Enter Garces, who used to be overweight but now has rounded into a pretty fine middle reliever.

20.   Former middle reliever Terry Adams, youngsters Luke Prokopec and Eric Gagne can sneak out of Dodger Stadium undetected.