41.   A strong outing, even against a struggling Rangers lineup, would begin to make up for a rocky regular season.

42.   At Tempe, Ariz., Jason Dickson allowed one run in six innings in his second consecutive strong outing in his comeback from shoulder surgery.

43.   But Rupe kept Tampa Bay in the game with his third consecutive strong outing.

44.   Cleveland, which placed two starters and a reliever on the disabled list Thursday, needed a strong outing from Dave Burba but got a dud instead.

45.   He never regained his old form, despite a few strong outings.

46.   He struck out eight and walked two in his second strong outing.

47.   In Boston, Magglio Ordonez had four hits and Dan Wright pitched into the seventh inning for his second consecutive strong outing as Chicago beat Boston.

48.   In Detroit, Hideo Nomo had another strong outing and Geoff Jenkins hit a two-run homer to lead the Milwaukee Brewers over the Detroit Tigers.

49.   In Boston, Juan Guzman finally got some offensive support in another strong outing as Toronto hit three homers.

50.   In New York, Tsuyoshi Shinjo homered, tripled and drove in three runs as the New York Mets beat Philadelphia behind another strong outing from Steve Trachsel.