1.   And pitcher Albie Lopez, who at one point gave the team five consecutive quality starts, failed to pitch into the fourth inning for the second straight time.

2.   Because the Braves never want for a quality start, they have no cause to panic.

3.   A quality start is defined as one in which a pitcher goes at least six innings and allows three or fewer earned runs.

4.   But quality starts mean nothing without run support.

5.   But the all-lefty starters were solid for Piniella, who is hungry for a string of quality starts.

6.   Despite the five wins, Nomo has yet to put two quality starts together.

7.   For the sake of the arm-weary bullpen, the Astros were in desperate need of a quality start Tuesday, and Scott Elarton rose to the challenge.

8.   For instance, Kenny Rogers, who pitched well in a victory over California on Saturday, turned in his second quality start in four tries this month.

9.   For the second straight night, the Dodgers got a quality start from an unheralded pitcher, this time right-hander Dave Mlicki.

10.   He gave me a lot of innings, a lot of quality starts.