31.   Suddenly, the Indians knew the pleasure of having a dominant pitcher win a series opener.

32.   Thanks to right-handed relievers Jose Paniagua and Timlin, five were enough in the four-game series opener.

33.   The Bulls beat the Lakers four straight games after losing that series opener.

34.   The Diamondbacks, who played flawlessly in winning the series opener, not only committed a pair of errors but also had trouble on the basepaths.

35.   The Mets were swept in four games by the Phillies, lost two of three at Atlanta and now have lost the series opener to the Marlins.

36.   The series opener between the Angels and Texas Rangers on Monday night offered no drama, no tense moments, nothing resembling a pennant race.

37.   The situation was ideal in the series opener against the Phillies, who started Curt Schilling.

38.   The series opener was bittersweet for Sheets.

39.   The topic has nagged at the LA players since they lost the series opener in the Staples Center.

40.   There was a lot of hitting in the series opener.