1.   Ashley took two strikes from right-hander Ricky Bottalico, then held off four consecutive balls to walk in a run.

2.   Baseball knew the players would not capitulate and was prepared to take a strike.

3.   A militant environmental group claimed responsibility, saying it was taking a strike against genetically modified foods.

4.   After taking strike two, he ripped the next pitch up the middle.

5.   After taking a strike, Saberhagen ripped a double down the line in left past a diving Jose Oliva.

6.   But Curtis took two strikes, then swung unsuccessfully at a neck-high fastball to strike out, flinging his bat in anger.

7.   Cabrera took a strike, a ball.

8.   Children, meanwhile, seemed to be taking the strike in stride.

9.   Defying the odds, he left it on even after Ordonez had taken two strikes.

10.   For all their apparent devotion to baseball, fans seem to be taking the strike in stride.