31.   Valentine did not know if it would clear the fence, and it hardly mattered, since even a sacrifice fly would win the game.

32.   We rejoiced when that baseball barely cleared the left-field fence in Busch Stadium.

33.   When Martinez connected, the Yankees in the dugout, including Torre, rose from their seats, hoping the shot would clear the fence.

34.   When the ball cleared the fence, McGwire was even with Roger Maris and only one swing away from eclipsing him, too.

35.   With his powerful left-handed stroke, few of his home runs simply clear the fence.

36.   Yet by clearing the fences just a few more times, Griffey still can hurdle some rather remarkable barriers.

37.   Any shot clearing the fence will count as eight runs instead of the traditional six.

38.   Braves manager Bobby Cox came onto the field to ask the umpires whether the ball cleared the fence, and replays showed it did not.

39.   Cox came onto the field to ask the umpires whether the ball cleared the fence, and replays showed it did not.

40.   Fletcher had his eighth career multihomer game, while Raul Mondesi, Tony Batista, and Brad Fullmer also cleared the fences for the Blue Jays.