The pitcher, the statement said, would not face disciplinary action as long as he continues with his after-care program.

More often than not, such a pitcher will face only one batter in a given game.

Last night, three teams and 352 games later, that pitcher faced a Mets lineup that included no position players who were active back then.

It means that a pitcher faces 27 batters who return to the dugout without ever reaching first base.

The Orioles won that game, 7-2, and five days later when the same pitchers faced each other again, Baltimore won, 5-1.

But twice last night, a powerful pitcher faced a red-hot hitter with runners on base.

Five days later, the two pitchers faced each other in a rematch at Wrigley Field.

This means the pitchers faced a combined 33 batters and struck out 28 of them.

But the first time a pitcher faces a team, he has the advantage.

Key said there's no advantage for either team when pitchers face the same team for a second time in a short series.