(AP-Roland Garros, Paris, France)
TML Biff Barnes Highlight Reel - May 2009
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A Gatto Free-For-All!

The Gatto Division is currently wide open, as
five of the six teams are within 4 games of the
lead! Duluth, despite being swept at Toxic,
was still the only team in the division with a
winning record in May (11-9). Beverly and
Rensselaer are tied for first, followed by Maine
(2 GB), and then Duluth and Glenmont at 4 GB.

In the Gehrig, Toxic Waste and Lake Wobegone
went 14-6 and put pressure on division leader
Rocky Mountain (10-10). Only 2 games separate
the three teams.

In the Ruth, Walla Walla went 15-5 and is now
playing .778 ball, leading by 6 games over
Danny Way and 8 games over Madison (the latter
two playing well over .600 ball). Walla Walla
currtently leads the TML in team ERA at 2.44.
Danny Way is also sub-3.00 at 2.91. Madison
is leading in batting, This could be setting
up a form of TML "carnage" during the Summer
Stretch, when the Gatto meets the Ruth!

Finally, in the Steinmetz, Valparaiso (12-8)
now leads by 9 games over 'Skayuna and 11
over Albany. Mudville has fought their way
back into the Wild Card battle.

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Madison's Torii Hunter has taken over the batting
lead at .360. Duluth's Brad Hawpe is only one
point back and still leads the TML in RBIs with
56, two ahead of teammate Miguel Cabrera (who
still leads the league in HRs, with 20).

In pitching, Walla Walla's Cliff Lee still leads
the TML in ERA at 1.98, followed by teammate
Ryan Dempster at 1.99. There are three 8-game
winners, Valpo's Felix Hernandez, Maine's John
Danks and Walla Walla's A.J. Burnett. Madison's
Josh Beckett and Rocky Mountain's C.C. Sabathia
lead the TML in Ks with 90. Valpo's Cory Wade
continues to lead the league in SVs with 20.

Below are some awards and tid-bits from May
2009 in the TML American.

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** Player of the Month **

(AV) Hanley Ramirez
.373, 31-83, 7-1-3, 49 TB, 14 R,
22 RBI, 10 BB, 17 SB, 23 RC

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** Pitcher of the Month **

(LW) John Lester
4-0, 2.14, 2 CG, 33.2 IP, 22 H,
3 HR, 7 BB, 20 K, .186 OAVG
_

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** Best Pitching Performance of the Month **

Mudville Nine Mike Mussina out-dueled Dane
Roy Oswalt. Mussina tossed a CG 1-hitter,
allowing only a lead-off single to Cliff Floyd
in the 2nd inning. Oswalt took the tough
loss, a CG 4-hitter. Joe Crede drove in both
runs for the Nine, one on a lead-off solo HR
in the 5th.

5/7/2009, MN08-M908, Shea Stadium
__________1_2_3__4_5_6__7_8_9____R__H_E
Danes_____0_0_0__0_0_0__0_0_0_-__0__1_0
Nine______0_0_0__0_1_0__1_0_x_-__2__4_1

Nine____________IP__H__R_ER_BB__K__ERA
Mussina__W_4-3___9__1__0__0__0__8__2.76

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** Best Offensive Performance of the Month **

Dodger Aramis Ramirez broke out of his slump
in a big way, going 3-5, with 7 RBI, leading
his team to a 10-2 victory over the Haymakers.
Ramirez sparked a 5-run 4th with a Grand Slam.

5/12/2009, TR08-GL08, Camden Yard

___________1_2_3__4_5_6__7_8_9____R__H_E
Dodgers____1_0_0__5_0_0__1_0_3_-_10_16_0
Haymakers__1_0_0__0_0_1__0_0_0_-__2_11_1

Dodgers_____________AB__R__H__BI___AVG
Ramirez,Aramis_3b____5__1__3___7__.209

2nd:_F9;_4th:_GS-HR;_5th:_K;_7th:_RBI-1B;
9th:_2_RBI-1B
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** The Blowout Game of the Month **

The Squires absolutely wailed on the Fightn
Mallards, winning 23-2. The Squires posted
an 8-run 3nd *and* a 10-run 7th! Every single
Squire scored at least 2 runs and only two
players did not have at least 2 RBI. Derek
Lee went 3-5, with 5 RBI. Mallard Jorge
Campillo was tagged with 12 ER in 3.2 IP,
serving up 12 hits and 6 walks!

5/11/2009, GV08-SS08, Yankee Stadium
_____________1_2_3__4_5_6__7_8_9____R__H_E
F'n Mallards_0_0_0__0_0_0__0_2_0_-__2__7_0
Squires______2_8_0__2_0_1_10_0_x_-_23_23_0

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** Overtime Game of the Month **

The Squires outlasted the Travelers in the
month's longest marathon. The Squires scored
a pair of runs in the 17th, after 2 out, with
5 singles! However, the Travs did attempt a
comeback in the home 17th! They did get one
run back, but left the bases loaded!

5/15/2009, SS08-AR08, Busch Stadium
___________123_456_789_012_345_67____R__H_E
Squires____010_000_000_000_000_02_-__3_13_0
Travs______000_000_010_000_000_01_-__2_12_0

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Up next ... June highlights!

Staff Columnist - Biff Barnes