Collectively, the starting pitchers entered the weekend with the best record, 38-12, and the lowest E.R.A., 3.68.

"Willie has to announce to the umpire that there's a double switch before the pitcher enters the game," McClelland said.

More than half of Gossage's blown saves came in tough save situations, where the tying run was on base when the pitcher entered.

Nobody scored in the eighth either, and both pitchers entered the ninth inning knowing it would probably be their last inning.

Once a pitcher enters a game, he has to remain in the game until he dispatches one batter.

After Clemens had turned 30 and then had four seasons, 1993-96, which were by his standards mediocre at best, Duquette said the pitcher was entering "the twilight of his career."

Big leads were lost, rallies were perpetual, pitchers entered and departed with dizzying regularity on a sunny and chilly afternoon.

Had they shifted Giambi to first, the pitcher would have entered the lineup, and the Yankees had no bench players left.

The Yankees were trailing California by two runs, the potential tying runs were on and a fresh pitcher had entered the game in Joe Grahe.

The pitcher of lemonade had entered her bladder, but found no convenient exit.