BIFF BARNES BASEBALL BONANZA
(AP-Queens, New York)
TML American Highlight Reel - Summer Stretch 2007 =================================================

The Rensselaer Strikers (21-9) put together the best Summer Stretch in the TML and managed to gain 3 games on Beverly (18-12), but are still 10 games behind in the Gatto Division. Carolina (15-15) was the only other team in the division to play .500 ball, but are now in 3rd place, 22 games behind Beverly. Maine (9-21) had a rough Stretch, wihch was summarized by their GM/skipper, Mr. Cempa, "I suck."
In the Gehrig, Toxic Waste (20-10) gained 4 games over Mordor (16-14) and 6 games over Traffic (14-16), to open up a commanding 12- game lead. In an in-season move, Toxic Waste acquired the services of Roger Clemens, who will join Greg Maddux, the only two TML career 300-game winners!
In the Steinmetz, surprising Valparaiso (20-10) has opened up a 9-game lead over Albany (19-11). Crimea (14-16) and 'Skayuna (16-14) are tied for 3rd and remain in the Wild Card race.
In the Ruth, Walla Walla (19-11) paced division leader Arkansas (19-11). Only 3 game separate the two. Hialeah (15-15) and Cheticamp (15-15) both lost ground and are 10 games behind.

Walla Walla, in a bold in-season trade, acquired TML career HR leader, Barry Bonds, and young stud closer, Jonathan Paplebon.
Summer Stretch 2007 went to the Oceanic Conference (186-174).
The TML batting lead has changed hands again, with 'Skayuna's Albert Pujols leading at .340. Ghostwood's Miguel Cabrera (.338), Rensselaer's Brian Roberts (.337), Carolina's Joe Mauer (.336), Toxin Jason Giambi (.335), Walla Walla's Nick Markakis (.334) are all looming right behind! Rocky Mountain's Ryan Howard leads in HRs at 48, with Oklahoma's David Ortiz only 2 back. Crimea's fully rested Grady Sizemore legged out 3 more triples (batting .404 in the Stretch), and now leads the TML with 16. Ortiz leads in runs scored (114) and Oklahoma's Jermaine Dye is the RBI leader at 122. Rocky Mountain "rabitt" Juan Pierre leads in stolen bases with 44, but he has been caught stealing 23 times! Giambi still leads the TML in SLG at .763 and OBP at .491.
Beverly's Roy Halladay continues to put up fine numbers and still leads the TML with a 1.94 ERA and a 16-5 record! Arkansas' Chien-Ming Wang and Toxin Greg Maddux are both 15-5. Rocky Mountain's Jeremy Bonderman leads in strikeouts at 172. Valaparais's Bob Wickman continues to lead in SV with 37, with Toxin J.J Putz right behind at 36. (Reports from the Drench GM is that Mr. Wickman is complaining about arm fatigue.)
Toxic Waste (65-0) has yet to blow a lead after 7 innings. Oklahoma now leads the TML in victories (9) when trailing after 7. Rensselaer posted their first come-from-behind late victory in the Stretch. Valparaiso, Traffic and Maine have all played 40 or more 1-run games, and all three have a winning record in those contests!
Walla Walla played their first extra-inning game of the season during the Stretch at Glenmont, and they lost 4-3 in 11 innings.
In September, the Series 12 home-and-away match- ups (14 games) feature first-time meetings between Arkansas and Walla Walla, Valparaiso and Crimea, and Toxic Waste and Traffic.
Below are some awards and tid-bits from Summer Stretch '07 in the TML American.
=============================================
** Player of the Stretch **
(BB) Carlos Beltran
.305, 36-118, 9-1-13, 86 TB, 38 R, 27 BI, 31 W, 42 RC
---------------------------------------------
** Pitcher of the Stretch **
(AR) Chien-Ming Wang
5-0, 1.58, 6 GS, 2 CG, 45.2 IP,35 H, 1 HR, 2 W, 16 K, .212 OPP

---------------------------------------------
** Best Offensive Performance of the Stretch **

(or Payback is a "Juan" Game of the Stretch)
Former Toxin Juan Encarnacion went berserk against his former team, going 6 for 6, with 5 consecutive singles, followed by a dramatic "walk-off homer" in the bottom of the 9th. The Drench rallied from down 9-4 to win the game and gain a respectable 2-3 series result versus the defending TML Champs. The two teams combined for 40 hits and 9 walks. All the runs were earned!

8/15/2007, TX06-VD06, Miller Park
llllllllllllllll1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
2006 River Rats 0 1 1 2 0 5 0 1 0 - 10 19 1
2006 Drench llll0 0 1 3 0 2 4 0 1 - 11 21 1
Drench AB R H BI AVG
Encarnacion rf 6 1 6 4 .295
1st: 1B; 3: RBI-1B; 4: 2 RBI-1B; 6: 1B 7: 1B; 9: GWH-HR
---------------------------------------------
** Best Pitching Performance of the Month **
Diamond veteran Jamie Moyer took a no-hitter into the 8th inning. Crawfish Jack Wilson spoiled the bid, by lacing a 1-out single to shallow center. Moyer settled for a 2-hit shutout!
7/24/2007, CA06-DW06, Rogers Centre
lllllllll1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
2006 Crawfish 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 2 0
2006 Diamonds 0 1 2 0 0 2 0 0 x - 5 10 0
Diamonds IP H R ER BB K PCH STR ERA
Moyer W 5-10 9 2 0 0 2 6 120 77 5.12

Honorable Mention: Cheticamp's Jered Weaver who also tosed a complete game 2-hit shutout against the Haymakers. (Weaver lost his bid for a no-hitter in the 5th.)
---------------------------------------------
** The Dogfight Game of the Month **
An ugly game, more so for the River, who came up on the short end of an offensive 19-13 score. The River led 13-10 going into the 9th, but their "gasoline can" bullpen was lit up for 9 runs in the top of the 9th! The two teams combined for 33 hits and 9 errors! Ugly.

7/16/2007, TR06-CR06, Wrigley Field
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
2006 Dodgers 1 0 0 0 0 4 1 4 9 - 19 21 5
2006 River 0 0 4 0 6 2 1 0 0 - 13 12 4
---------------------------------------------
** The Blowout Game of the Month **
The Thoroughbreds opened the game with an 11-
run outburst and coasted from there to a 16-1
blowout victory over the Haynakers. In the
11-run first inning, they had 9 hits (no HR)
and drew 3 walks.

7/24/2007, HT06-GL06, Camden Yard
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
2006 T-Breds 11 0 2 2 0 0 0 1 0 - 16 18 0
2006 Haymakers 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 4 4
---------------------------------------------
** Overtime Game of the Month **
7/25/2007, CT06-BV06, Yankee Stadium
123 456 789 012 345 6 R H E
2006 Bobcats 103 000 000 000 000 0- 4 9 0
2006 Hillb'lis 103 000 000 000 000 1- 5 15 0
Bottom of the 16th inning, Hillbillies batting
4-4 0 --- 30 Hafner walked (BBBB)
4-4 0 1-- 00 Rodriguez sacrifice bunted to
the mound, Hafner to second (Xb)
4-4 1 -2- 22 Redmond grounded a double down
the third base line, Hafner
scored (FFFBBFFX)
=============================================
Up next ... September divisional highlights!
Staff Columnist - Biff Barnes