7/17/10: Week 12 Highlights

   With several teams, for whatever reason, playing short-handed, several key games were on the line for positional representation in this year's All-Star game.
   No team could have been affected more by a pair of losses was the Dayton Astros, whose All-Star slots could have went from 5 guys to 3. But fortunately for the 'Stros, they were able to wrestle a split with the Redlegs out at Preble Shawnee. PJ Dobbins picked up his second career win in a 12-10 victory. The Redlegs pounced back with an 8-3 win as rookie of the year candidate Taylor Guntle moved to 5-0 on the mound.
   The Rangers clinched the top spot in the Miami Division with a DH sweep of the Dragons. Shawn Schmitt moved up the MVABL wins chart, picking up his 26th league 'W' with an 11-5 final, moving him into 4th place all-time. Tim Sullivan became the oldest player (48) in MVABL history to hit a home run. Matt Caraway also connected for a HR moving him into 7th on the all-time MVABL HR list. Both Sullivan and Caraway last hit a HR in 2002. The Rangers overcame a 6-1 deficit in game two to win 8-6, as rookie Ty Adams broke a 6-6 tie in the 6th with a solo home run. Cy Young candidate Jonathan Silverman moved to 6-1 with the complete game win.
   The Shockers helped their cause with a pair of one-run wins over the Indians. The Slammers were able to add another man to the All-Star squad with a sweep of the Cardinals. The Cards did get offensive support in the game from Kevin Enchelmeyer and Jonathan Teague, who each hit their first MVABL home runs. And the Sox locked up the top Buckeye Division seed with a convincing 15-2 win over an 8-man Thunder squad.
   The Shockers continued to jump up in the standings with an 8-6 win on Thursday night over the Slammers. The Astros fell to the Sox 5-1.