21.   It was the second consecutive defeat for the Rangers, who had three victories and three ties in their previous six games.

22.   It was also the second big defeat in less than a year for the National Rifle Association, which lost its battle against the Brady bill last November.

23.   Mr. Clinton was also struggling to avoid the spillover effect a second defeat of the crime bill would have on his efforts to pass health-care legislation.

24.   That ruling dealt the defense a second defeat this week in its effort to exclude evidence seized by police.

25.   The Angels got three more hits to push across three runs and send the Yankees to their second consecutive defeat.

26.   The decision marks the second legal defeat for advocates who have been trying to restore benefits that were denied legal immigrants under the federal welfare law.

27.   The decision was only the second defeat for the gun industry.

28.   The doubts about the Lakers rose exponentially with a second straight defeat.

29.   The decision was the second big Supreme Court defeat for the White House in recent days.

30.   The Rangers might not be concerned after only eight games, but frustrations began to mount after a second consecutive lopsided defeat.