11.   The Dodgers, who lost their fifth consecutive game, are four games back in both the National League wild-card playoff race and NL West divisional race.

12.   The day ended with the Mets and Cubs tied, after both lost to the teams that lead them by many lengths in the divisional races.

13.   The gasping Angels are now five games behind front-runner Seattle in the divisional race and six games behind the New York Yankees for the wild card.

14.   The players and managers on both sides acted unsure of how much to reimmerse themselves in the divisional races that lap daily at their necks.

15.   The setback dropped the Angels four games behind Seattle in the divisional race.

16.   The victory kept the first-place Angels a half-game ahead of the Seattle Mariners in the divisional race.

17.   Their arms race will determine how the Yankees do in the divisional race.

18.   The victory kept the first-place Angels a half-game ahead of Seattle in the divisional race for the third straight day.

19.   There is nothing as rare in Arlington as a real live September divisional race, and the Rangers are actually in a good one.

20.   This system would preserve the integrity of the regular season, the divisional races and the sprint for playoff home-field advantage.