41.   Before he reached the mound his starting pitcher, Mike Hampton, eyes averted, flipped him the ball and walked dejectedly toward the bench, head bowed.

42.   Bierbrodt will be a front-line starting pitcher long after somebody figures out Lopez is overrated as a starter and is better suited for the bullpen.

43.   Beyond that the rotation is somewhat uncertain, although general manager Doug Melvin has not ruled out adding another starting pitcher.

44.   Before the game, Angels manager Terry Collins said that starting pitcher Allen Watson faces his most trouble in the first inning.

45.   Bobby Witt, the Oakland starting pitcher who had come into Orioles Park at Camden Yards riding three straight shutouts, did not get out of the third inning.

46.   Bobby Jones of the Mets is not the only starting pitcher who stumbled on his way to a terrific season.

47.   Bobby Jones will be the starting pitcher.

48.   Boras represented four starting pitchers.

49.   Both are trying to win jobs as starting pitchers, their health permitting.

50.   Both starting pitchers were gone by the fifth inning.