21.   When he retired the first two batters of the inning, it looked like he might go nine and put the exclamation point on his starry career.

22.   Williams walked the first man he faced but then retired four batters in a row before yielding an infield single.

23.   Yesterday, he retired three batters in the fourth inning.

24.   A day earlier, he faced the Expos and gave up six runs without retiring a batter.

25.   Ahearne was relieved without retiring a batter in the second.

26.   At one point, the right-hander retired nine batters in a row.

27.   Billy Taylor retired two batters, and Mike Mohler got five outs for his fourth save.

28.   But Wells left his start against the Cubs on Friday night with back spasms after not retiring a batter.

29.   He got through the second inning, but never retired a batter in the third.

30.   He left after failing to retire a batter in the sixth and was charged with five runs on seven hits and two walks.