1.   And as teams compete in the stretch run, matches will be tinged with more desperation.

2.   April is the stretch run of the NBA season.

3.   As the previous round of World Cup qualifying entered the stretch run last fall, Eric Wynalda reached for his passing gear and found that he had none.

4.   As Winston Cup gets ready for its stretch run, it has a hard time not glancing in its rear-view mirror.

5.   Atlanta, in the midst of a stretch run, was playing Houston.

6.   Both campaigns are well-positioned for a stretch run in contests considered crucial to the battle for control of the Senate.

7.   A crucial stretch run has netted them four losses in their last six games.

8.   A supremely confident Pincay looked over his right shoulder at the oncoming Secretariat, and turned Sham loose for the stretch run.

9.   Add the Senior Day emotion and a frenetic first half, and he was gassed for the stretch run.

10.   But forgive Payton for interrupting the stretch run of this regular season with a different motivation.