BIFF BARNES' BASEBALL BONANZA

(AP-Paris, France)
TML American Baseball Highlight Reel - May 2007 ==========================================================================

Arkansas and Walla Walla both had the best May record in the TML, at 14-6, and took advantage of Hialeah's 8-12 month, to take over 1st place in the Ruth. Cheticamp (12-8) jumped over Hialeah into 3rd place. In the Steinmetz, Crimea (8-12) stumbled badly, in part due to a 2-8 homestand, and Valparaiso (12-8) took over 1st by 3 games. In the Gatto, Beverly (10-10) treaded water, but gained ground on Rensselaer (8-12), now leading by 3 games. In the Gehrig, Mordor (11-9) hung on to 1st, but lost a game to Toxic Waste (12-8) and Traffic (12-8). Oklahoma (13-7) pulled to within 5 games of the lead.

Mordor's Jason Kendall took over the TML batting lead at .382, with Crimea's Adrian Beltre in 2nd at .371. Rocky Mountain's Ryan Howard now leads with 23 HR, two ahead of Oklahoma's David Ortiz. The Oklahoma duo of Jermaine Dye (57) and Ortiz (55) are 1-2 in RBI. Traffic's Aramis Ramirez also has 55 RBI, with Howard at 54. Toxin Jason Giambi leads the TML in SLG at .736 and OBP at .517.
Oklahoma's Ace Curt Schilling (2.86) is now 10-0 and Rensselaer's Jason Jennings (2.64) is at 9-1. Leading the TML in ERA is Beverly's Roy Halladay at 1.98. Valparaiso's Bob Wickman still leads in SV with 19, but Walla Walla's Ryan Dempster and Toxin J.J. Putz both logged 11 SV in May and are right behind!

Below are some awards and tid-bits from the second month of ball in the TML.

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** "Deja Vu" Player of the Month **

(RM) Ryan Howard

(.309, 21-68, 2-0-7, 44 TB, 13 R, 14 BI,18 W, 22 RC)

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** Pitcher of the Month **

(WW) Ryan Dempster

(0.00, 11 SV, 11 GR, 10.2 IP, 7 H, 4 BB, 7 K, .194)

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** Single Game Outstanding Offensive Performance of the Month **

Chicago's Ken Griffey Jr. had RBI-hits in his first four at bats in the game, sparking the Bobcats to what would be only one of their four wins in the period.

5/16/2007, CR06-CT06, Camden Yard
nnnnnnnnnnnnn1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R mmH E LOB DP
2006 River mm0 0 0 1 1 1 2 0 2 7 m14 0 10 0
2006 Bobcats 2 0 2 0 2 5 0 0 x 11m11m0m 5 2
Bobcats mmAB R H BI AVG
Griffey cf 5 2 4 6 .190
1st: 2-run HR; 3rd: RBI-2B; 5th: 2-run HR; 6th: RBI-1B; 8th: F8
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** Single Game Outstanding Pitching Performance of the Month **

Chicago's Roger Clemens (shown in his rookie year) pitched a dandy 2-hitter against Crimea, but Crimea's Paul Byrd scattered 6 hits in earning the 1-0 victory. Byrd did not walk or strikeout anyone in the complete game! The lone run came in the 6th, when Clint Barmes led off with a double, moved to 3rd on a groundout and then scored on a groundout!
5/15/2007, CR06-CT06, Camden Yard
mmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB DP
2006 Rivermm 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 2m 2m 2
2006 Bobcats 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 m7 m0
Rivermmmmmmmmmmm INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Byrd W 3-2 mmmmmm9.0 6 0 m0 m0 0 100 73 5.73
Bobcats MMMmmmmmmINN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Clemens L 2-3 mmm9.0 2 1m 1m 1 7m 98 65 4.91

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** The Pitching Duel II Game of the Month **

A rather high number of pitchers, five, saw action in this 1-0 pitching duel. The lone run came in the bottom of the 3rd, when Derek Jeter doubled and scored on a single by Luis Castillo.

5/9/2007, GL06-TR06, Dolphin Stadium
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB DP
2006 Haymakers 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 m9 m1
2006 Dodgers mm0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 x 1 5 0 m6m 1

Haymakers mmmmmmmmmmINN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Zambrano L 3-4 mmmmm7.1 5 1 m1 m2 7 113 67 4.33
Crain mmmmmmmmmmmmmm0.2 0 0 m0 m0 0mm 4 m2 4.66
Dodgers mmmmmmmmmmmmINN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Escobar W 3-0 mmmmmm6.0 4 0 m0 m3 7 106 63 4.75
Qualls H 3 mmmmmmmmm1.1 1 0 m0 m0 1 m14 11 1.14
Cordero S 6 mmmmmmmm1.2 1 0 m0 m1 4 m23 14 4.82

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** The Pitching Duel III Game of the Month **

Another 1-0 pitching duel (at Coors Field!), this time seeing six different pitchers! The lone run came in the bottom of the 2nd, when Morgan Ensberg walked, advanced to third on a double by Felipe Lopez, and then scored on a beautifully executed "suicide squeeze"
by Carl Crawford!

5/21/2007, RS06-TX06, Coors Field
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB DP
2006 Strikers mm0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1m m9m 1
2006 River Rats 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 x 1 5 0m 10 m0

Strikers mmmmmmmINN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Wolf L 2-1 mmmmm6.1 5 1 m1 m2 7 109 66 m1.33
Capps mmmmmmmmmm0.2 0 0 m0 m1 1m 15 m7 m4.20
Kensing mmmmmmmm0.2 0 0 m0 m2 0 m16 m4 13.50
Hancock mmmmmmmm0.1 0 0 m0 m0 0mm 5 m3 m5.56
River Rats mmmmmINN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Benson W 3-3 mmm8.0 4 0 m0 m2 2 102 m72 3.14
Putz S 8 mmmmmmm1.0 2 0 m0 m0 2 m16 m12 0.00
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** The Dogfight Game of the Month **

Maine kept chipping away at the Toxin lead and eventually tied the game at 7-7 in the 6th. The game went into extra innings, with the Toxins getting a clutch homer in the 10th from the hot Jason Giambi. The Toxins sent their Ace Closer J.J. Putz in for the save. Putz had not allowed a run this season and was perfect in save opportunities (10-10). Well, all good things must come to an end, as the Liners quickly scored a pair to win the game 9-8.

5/16/2007, TX06-ML06, Shea Stadium
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R H mE LOB DP
2006 River Rats 2 1 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 m1 8 13 2 m14 m0
2006 Liners mmmm1 0 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 m2 9 14 0 m11m 0
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** The "Almost Blew That One" Game I of the Month **

Danny Way had built up a commanding 15-2 lead going into the bottom of the 9th. When the dust settled, Albany had gone through six Diamond relief pitchers, scoring 11 runs, leaving runners on 1st & 3rd, only to lose 15-13! Wandy Rodriguez finally doused the flames by getting Hanley Ramirez to fly out to right. Albany sent 16 batters to the plate in the home 9th.

5/21/2007, DW06-AV06, Fenway Park
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 M9 MR H mE LOB DP
2006 Diamonds m4 2 0 1 0 6 0 2 0m 15 18 0 13 m0
2006 Avalanche 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 11 13 13 3 m6 m0
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** The "Almost Blew That One" Game II of the Month **

After building up a 10-0 lead after 2 innings, Oklahoma saw their
lead evaporate in the 7th, when Rensselaer tallied 6 times, to
pull into a 10-10 tie. In the 9th, the Supercells ralied for the
go-ahead run off Mariano Rivera (who ended up with a 7.56 ERA, 1-3
record, with 2 saves and 3 blown saves for the May period). Bobby
Jenks nailed down the save by fanning Briand Roberts, with a runner stranded on 3rd!

5/26/2007, OS06-RS06, Fenway Park
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R MMH E LOB DP
2006 Supercells 3 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 11 16 0 M8 M1
2006 Strikers mm0 0 4 0 0 0 6 0 0 10 11 1 M6 M0
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** Comback Game of the Month **

Carolina, trailing 5-2 heading into the 9th, scored a half-dozen
runs, to take a 7-5 lead into the home 9th. The big blow was a
Grand Slam by Marcus Giles, off shaky Marauder Closer, Armando
Benitez. The Marauders fought back in their half of the 9th,
scoring one run off Carolina Ace Closer Huston Street, but left
runners on 1st & 3rd, when Street induced Dave Roberts to pop
out to first.

5/21/2007, CA06-MM06, Comerica Park
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R mH E LOB DP
2006 Crawfish m0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 6 8 13 1m 9 m2
2006 Marauders 0 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 6 11 0 m8m 1
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** Overtime Game I of the Month **

In the longest game of the month, 15 innings, the Pine Weasels
continued their home dominance of the visting Dodgers. Neifi Perez
lined the first pitch he saw in the home 15th, for a 2-out, game-
winning single, scoring Yuniesky Betancourt from 2nd.

5/16/2007, TR06-GW06, Angel Stadium
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9101112131415 R H E LOB DP
2006 Dodgers mmmmm0 2 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 13 0 14 1
2006 Pine Weasels 0 0 0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 11 1 13 1
************** Bottom of the 15th inning, Pine Weasels batting
4-4 0 --- 00 Hawpe grounded out to second (X)
4-4 1 --- 11 Betancourt reached on an infield single to short (FBX)
4-4 1 1-- 01 Sweeney popped out to the catcher (CX)
4-4 2 1-- 32 Varitek walked, Betancourt to second (BBSSB>B)
4-4 2 12- 00 Perez lined a single to shallow center, Betancourt
scored, Varitek to second (X)
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** Overtime Game II of the Month **

Rensselaer blew an 8-0 lead, capped by a clutch, 2-out, 2-run HR by Mordor's Brandon Inge off the usually reliable Striker Closer Mariano Rivera! Then, in the 10th, the Strikers exploded for a 5-spot, highlighted by a 2-run HR by Craig Monroe and a 3-run shot by Brian Roberts. Rivera pitched the bottom of the 10th to get the win.

5/11/2007, RS06-MM06, Comerica Park
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 R mmH E LOB DP
2006 Strikers m0 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 m5 13 16 0m 6 m3
2006 Marauders 0 0 4 1 1 0 0 0 2 m0 8 m16 1m 9m 2
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** The "Walk Off Homer" Game I of the Month **

After blowing a 5-0 lead, by allowing Carolina to score 5 runs in
the 9th, the Supercells wasted no time in "setting the table" for
another David Ortiz "walk off" 3-run homer!

5/8/2007, CA06-OS06, AT&T Park
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H mE LOB DP
2006 Crawfish mm0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 5 6 m0m 4 m3
2006 Supercells 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 3 3 8 15 0 m8m 0

************** Bottom of the 9th inning, Supercells batting
Fick now playing first base
5-5 0 --- 32 Freel lined a single to shallow left (BBBCSFX)
5-5 0 1-- 11 Dye grounded a single between first and second, Freel to third (1CBX)
Downs now pitching
5-5 0 1-3 20 Ortiz homered, Freel scored, Dye scored (BBX)
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** The "Walk Off Homer" Game II of the Month **

The game saw a 1-1 tie head into the bottom of the 9th. Beverly's
J.D. Drew blasted a game-winning "walk off" 3-run homer!

5/22/2007, MM06-BV06, Yankee Stadium
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB DP
2006 Marauders mm0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6 0 m6m 0
2006 Hillbillies 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 6 0 m5m 0
************** Bottom of the 9th inning, Hillbillies batting
1-1 0 --- 32 Quinlan lined a single to shallow center (CFBFFFFBBX)
Theriot pinch hitting for Dellucci
1-1 0 1-- 31 Theriot walked, Quinlan to second (1FBBBB)
Turnbow now pitching
1-1 0 12- 22 Hernandez struck out (FbFbBFBS)
1-1 1 12- 12 Diaz struck out (CFBFS)
Drew pinch hitting for Peralta
1-1 2 12- 00 Drew homered, Quinlan scored, Theriot scored (X)
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** The "Walk-Off" Walk (?) Game of the Month **

Chicago had led 2-0 since the first, before allowing a run in the
8th and then the roof caved in during the bottom of the 9th. The
Bobcat closer, Chad Cordero, made a fielding error, which was followed by a pair of weak singles. After an intentional walk to Shealy, Cordero issued a bases loaded, "walk-off walk" to Wily Mo Pena.

5/11/2007, CT06-AV06, Fenway Park
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E LOB DP
2006 Bobcats mm2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 1m 4m 3
2006 Avalanche 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 8 1 m6 m2
************** Bottom of the 9th inning, Avalanche batting
Ross,D now playing catcher
2-1 0 --- 02 Valentin to first on an error by the pitcher Cordero (SCX)
2-1 0 1-- 01 Thames grounded a single up the middle, Valentin to
second (111SX)
2-1 0 12- 00 Abreu grounded to second, forcing Thames at second,
Valentin to third, Abreu to first (X)
2-1 1 1-3 11 Atkins grounded a single between first and second,
Valentin scored, Abreu to third (CBX)
2-2 1 1-3 30 Shealy was walked intentionally, Atkins to second (IIII)
2-2 1 123 12 Willingham struck out (CFBS)
2-2 2 123 32 Pena,W walked, Abreu scored, Atkins to third, Shealy to
second (BSFBFB>B)
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** Blowout Game of the Month **

Already leading 6-0, Albany exploded for 10 runs in the bottom of the 7th, winning 16-0, behind Ace Pedro Martinez' 51st career shutout. This pulls Martinez into a career tie with Toxin Greg Maddux. Albany's Ryan Shealy blasted a Grand Slam in the 4th and a 3-run blast in the 10-run 7th, good for 7 RBI on the day.

5/10/2007, CT06-AV06, Fenway Park
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 m7 8 9 R mmH E LOB DP
2006 Bobcats mm0 0 0 0 0 0 m0 0 0 0 mm4 1m 4m 0
2006 Avalanche 1 0 0 4 1 0 10 0 x 16 16 0 m3 m0
Avalanchemmmmm INN H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Martinez W 1-0 9.0 4 0 m0 m0 5 108 74 3.14
Avalanche AB R H BI AVG
Shealy dh m5 2 2 7 .375
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** The B.P. Game of the Month **

This game between Mudville and Danny Way saw 24 runs on 39 hits!
Every starter for Mudville had at least one hit, on way to their
19-5 win.

5/14/2007, M906-DW06, Rogers Centre
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R mmH E LOB DP
2006 Nine mmmm3 3 3 0 2 1 1 6 0 19 28 0 11m 2
2006 Diamonds 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0m 5 11 2m 7m 2
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** The "Baker's Dozen Walk" Game of the Month **

Toxic Waste drew 13 walks and had 7 hits off the Glenmont pitchers
and could still only manage 3 runs in a losing effort. The first
run in the 3rd was a result of a bases loaded walk. The Toxins
left 16 men on base during the game. The bottom three in the
Haymaker lineup, Yorvit Torrealba, Khalil Green and Alex Cora, drove in 5 of the 7 runs.

5/25/2007, TX06-GL06, Camden Yard
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R mH E LOB DP
2006 River Rats 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 m7 0 16 m1
2006 Haymakers m0 0 1 0 0 1 2 3 x 7 12 0 m5 m0

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Tune in next time for June highlights!
Staff Columnist - Biff Barnes