1.   And they acquired another righthanded reliever, Brian Williams, perhaps as insurance for Florie.

2.   Berkman atoned for his error with a towering two-run homer off righthanded reliever Stan Belinda that tied the score in the seventh inning.

3.   Brocail, the righthanded reliever, also suggested Short Porch Park.

4.   Hatteberg walked, loading the bases, but after righthanded reliever Gary Glover entered, Chris Stynes fouled out and Nixon went down swinging.

5.   Joe Hudson, a promising righthanded reliever who was among the best pitchers in the Arizona Fall League, seems perplexed by the situation.

6.   Righthanded reliever Scott Linebrink took a line drive by Benito Santiago off his pitching hand and threw seven of the next eight pitches for balls before leaving the game.

7.   Righthanded reliever Scott Sullivan got flyouts from Brad Ausmus and Derek Bell before intentionally walking Jeff Bagwell to bring Everett to the plate with the bases loaded.

8.   Righthanded reliever Jay Powell came to the Astros for minor-league catcher Ramon Castro, who most believe never would have reached starter status.

9.   The St. Louis Cardinals trumped the Sox, landing righthanded starter Dustin Hermanson from the Expos in exchange for third baseman Fernando Tatis and righthanded reliever Britt Reames.

10.   Yoshii faced three batters after injuring his ankle but eventually was replaced by righthanded reliever Pat Mahomes, who served up a solo homer to Perez in the sixth.