21.   Chipper Jones, having an awful series after he destroyed the Mets single-handedly in Atlanta last month, was the first batter Wendell faced, and he struck out.

22.   Cepeda got the first batter in the sixth to ground out.

23.   Closer Matt Mantei, who has had difficulties walking first batters, was not an option with the bases full of Mets.

24.   ConeCone walked the first batter he faced, Robert Fick.

25.   Corsi messed up a critical game in Cleveland on the last road trip by walking the first batter he faced and sending the game into extra innings.

26.   Crowder, though, ran into trouble in the ninth after retiring the first batter.

27.   Crawford walked the first batter he faced on four pitches, allowed a run in his first inning of work, and then settled down.

28.   Derek Lowe, who did, gave up a home run to right to the first batter he faced, Lofton.

29.   Darin Erstad hit a pitch on the screws as the first batter against Garcia, singling to center.

30.   Darren Holmes relieved in the bottom of the fourth, and the first batter for Cleveland was Travis Fryman.