(AP-Flushing, Queens, New York)
TML Biff Barnes Highlight Reel - August 2010
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A Toxic Summer!

The Toxic Waste River Rats (25-7 during the
Summer Stretch) feasted on the Williams Division
(14-2) at home and then had a successful road
trip (11-5) to the Steinmetz. The Toxins were
led by “Pitcher of the Stretch” Javier Vazquez
(7-1, 1.52), Mark Buehrle (5-1) and Ted Lilly
(4-1). Mark Teixeira (6 HR, 23 RBI) and Raul
Ibanez (10 HR, 24 RBI) provided the power, while
Felipe Lopez (.300, 17 2B, 27 R), Brandon Phillips
(.306, 5 HR, 18 RBI) and Scott Rolen (.333, 18 R,
19 RBI) kept the offense “sparked.” Carl Crawford
(4 SB, 1 CS) continues to be afraid to attempt
steals in DMB. The Toxins have opened up a
commanding 14-game lead in the Gehrig Division
over Traffic (15-17 in the Stretch).

In the other Atmospheric Conference Divisions,
Beverly (20-12) now has a 16-game lead over
Valparaiso (18-14) in the Gatto. Carolina
(14-18) is still in the Wild Card hunt. In the
Robinson, Rensselaer (17-15) has opened up a slim
2-game lead over Duluth (15-17). Madison (16-16)
remains close, but is 8 games off the pace.

In the Global Conference, Danny Way (23-9) took
over first place in the Ruth, by 1 game over
Arkansas (19-13). Both teams are headed to the
post season. Walla Walla (18-14) is in full
control of the Steinmetz, with a 9-game lead
over ‘Skayuna (18-14) and a 10-game lead over
Albany (16-16). In the Williams, Rocky Mountain
(19-13) lost a little ground to Brandon (20-12),
the latter having their best Stretch in years!

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‘Skayuna’s Albert Pujols is still making a run at
the elusive “Triple Crown”, but has lost the
batting lead to Madison’s Ichiro Suzuki, .370 to
.367. Pujols still leads in RBI (117) and HR(49),
not to mention SLG (.775), Runs (110), EXBH (91)
and RC(162). Ichiro is only 6 hits away from yet
another 200-hit season! Walla Walla's Michael
Bourn still leads in SB (76), followed by Albany's
Hanley Ramirez (59).

In pitching, Danny Way’s Scott Baker (18-4) leads
in victories, followed by Beverly’s Dan Haren
(17-3) and Justin Verlander (17-5) and Toxin
Vazquez (17-5). Perth’s Zach Greinke still leads
in ERA at 2.38, but has lost the K lead to
Verlander (212 to 206). The new saves leader is
Toxin C.J. Wilson (34-37, 3.42), followed by
Arkansas' Angel Guzman(32-35, 1.10). Lake
Wobegone's Daisuke Matsuzaka finally won a game
and is now 1-14 and his ERA (9.62) dropped below
10 during the Stretch!

Below are some awards and tid-bits from the 2010
Summer Stretch in the TML American.
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** Player of the Summer Stretch **

(TR) Derek Jeter
.409, 56-137, 13-0-6, 87 TB
34 R, 23 RBI, 13 W, 41 RC




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** Pitcher of the Summer Stretch **

(TX) Javier Vazquez
7-1, 1.52, 8 GS, 8 QS, 2 CG, 2 Sho
59 IP, 38 H, 10 W, 61 K, .181 OAVG



Honorable Mention:
Felix Hernandez (VD) 6-1, 1.30
Justin Verlander (BV) 6-1, 2.16
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** Best Offensive Performances of the Stretch **

Two BigWeezMachine players share the honor for
the Summer Stretch, having big games only days
apart. On July 9th, Prince Fielder led his team
to a 22-6 victory over Glenmont, going 3-for-5,
with a 2-run triple and a pair of 3-run homers,
good for 8 RBI.

7/9/2010, GL09-BZ09, Rangers Ballpark in Arlington
___________________R__H_E
Haymakers__________6__7_0
BigWeezMachine____22_22_3

BigWeezMachine________AB__R__H_BI___AVG
P.Fielder____1b________5__4__3__8__.325

1:2-RBI-3B; 5:3-RBI-HR; 6:3-RBI-HR

Then, on July 14th, teammate Orlando Hudson led
the 'Machine to a 21-5 road victory at Cheticamp,
going 4-for-6, with a solo-HR and a Grand Slam
(all in the 1st inning) and a pair of RBI-singles
in the 3rd and 9th.

7/14/2010, BZ09-CH09, Nationals Park
___________________R__H_E
BigWeezMachine____21_18_0
Micmacs____________5__9_1

BigWeezMachine________AB__R__H_BI___AVG
O.Hudson____2b_________6__4__4__7__.271

1:HR & GS-HR; 3:RBI-1B; 9:RBI-1B

Note: The 22 runs and 21 runs that the 'Machine
scored in the above two games were the most by
any home and road team, respectively, during the
Summer Stretch!
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** Best Pitching Performance of the Stretch **

Haymaker Matt Garza tossed a 1-hit, CG shutout
at the Diamond Cats. The only hit he allowed
was a 1-out single to Carlos Ruiz in the 6th.

7/12/2010, PC09-GL09, Oriole Park at Camden Yards
________________1_2_3__4_5_6__7_8_9_____R__H_E
Diamond Cats____0_0_0__0_0_0__0_0_0__-__0__1_0
Haymakers_______2_1_0__0_0_0__0_0_x__-__3__8_0

Haymakers___________IP__H__R_ER_BB__K___ERA
M.Garza (W 7-7)____9.0__1__0__0__1_10__5.22


Honorable Mention:
7/8/2010, Glenmont at Brandon
BigWeezMachine______IP__H__R_ER_BB__K
Clayton Kershaw____9.0__7__3__2__3_17

(Teahen blasted a walk-off 3-run HR in the
bottom of the 9th to give Kershaw the win!)
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** The Dogfight Game of the Stretch **

The Supercells fought back from deficits of 6-1
and 8-4, to take an 11-8 lead into the 9th. The
Micmacs scored 3 times to tie the game at 11-11,
before escaping with a 10-inning 12-11 victory.

7/21/2010, OS09-CH09, Nationals Park
______________1_2_3__4_5_6__7_8_9_10______R__H_E
Supercells____0_1_0__0_0_3__4_3_0__0__-__11_12_1
Micmacs_______3_1_0__2_0_2__0_0_3__1__-__12_16_1

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** Overtime Game of the Summer Stretch **

The longest game of the Stretch (18 innings)saw
the Nine outlast the Crawfish.

8/11/2010, M909-CA09, PETCO Park
______________123_456_789_012_345_678____R__H_E
Nine__________000_020_000_000_000_001_-__3_13_0
Crawfish______011_000_000_000_000_000_-__2_10_0

Game winner: Ross Gload GW-RBI-2B.

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Up next ... September highlights!

Staff Columnist - Biff Barnes