31.   Franklin, formerly of the St. Louis Cardinals, hit a three-run homer, his first this season, in the top of the first inning.

32.   He became a starter late in his rookie year and was part of Super Bowl champion teams his first two seasons.

33.   He spent Wednesday at his Dallas-area home deciding whether to retire after a nine-year career that began with Super Bowl titles his first two seasons.

34.   In Denver, Dante Bichette hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning, his first this season, as the Rockies rallied from five runs down.

35.   Kazuya Fukuura also hit a three-run homer, his first this season, in the fifth for the Marines.

36.   Kostner, the world super-G champion, also captured the third career victory and her first this season.

37.   Lower down the leagues, Macclesfield gained promotion to division two after its first ever season in the pro league.

38.   The Blues have never won the Stanley Cup, though they went to the finals their first three seasons.

39.   The Cavaliers and the Indians played their first seasons there last year.

40.   The defeat was the first this season for Lens, which slipped to third place, one point behind the leader.