31.   Leiter threw two more balls to the next hitter, Mark Grudzielanek, prompting a quick visit to the mound from Mike Piazza.

32.   Mlicki walked the next hitter, Mark Grudzielanek, on five pitches, throwing lazy sliders and fastballs that sailed high, evidence of a tiring pitcher.

33.   Mimbs, who was batting after Elster, also knows that pitchers sometimes brush back the next hitter after giving up a home run.

34.   Next hitter single, no big deal.

35.   Not if the next hitter is Mark McGwire.

36.   No, he just got the ball back and concentrated on facing the next hitter.

37.   On a couple of different pitches on the outside corner, Halama and catcher Dan Wilson thought they had the next hitter, Eric Chavez, struck out.

38.   Park walked the next Kansas City hitters and wound up allowing the Royals to score four times in the inning.

39.   Pettitte fell behind the next hitter, Ron Coomer, two balls and no strikes, and then tried throwing a cut fastball.

40.   Reed pitched aggressively to the next hitter, Jeff Kent, before Kent popped to short-center field for the second out.