31.   Sunday, he did a fine impression of a staff ace.

32.   That was a warning to the Rangers that they need to be cautious with their staff ace.

33.   The Athletics will throw staff ace Tim Hudson while the Angels will counter with Appier.

34.   The Dodgers then showed uncanny, uncharacteristic patience at the plate in knocking their former staff ace Hideo Nomo out of the game.

35.   The Opening Day assignment carries weight, responsibility and usually designates the staff ace.

36.   The staff ace struck out his final hitter, Scott Spiezio.

37.   The staff ace thought he was past the strained muscle in his right side, but it flared up again in the fourth inning.

38.   The Twins signed staff ace Brad Radke to a multiyear deal, understanding he was needed to gain respectability.

39.   They sent me up against their staff ace, Dan Shaughnessy.

40.   Three pitchers are out indefinitely with injuries, including staff ace Roy Oswalt.