1.   Bobby Valentine has to be wondering if the Mets have any relievers who can hold onto a game for him.

2.   Cox had no reliever warming up, and Strawberry coaxed a walk that blew the inning wide open.

3.   He then had reliever Derek Lowe make an appeal play to second base without success.

4.   Instead of having the relievers going out and protecting hitters, he will do it.

5.   The Astros have two relievers who can top that.

6.   The Dodgers have had relievers Terry Adams and Giovanni Carrara fill in for injured starters.

7.   The Dodgers have not had a reliever they can count on in the first half.

8.   The Mets have not had a reliever who can throw this hard since they traded Randy Myers for John Franco.

9.   The Yankees may have another reliever before then.

10.   Torre actually has right-handed relievers who are more effective against left-handed batters, in Darren Holmes and Dan Naulty.