The Charleston Alley-Cats were rained out early, so only three of the Jays’ farm teams took the field last night. Dunedin scored a huge victory, but New Hampshire and Syracuse lost close games.

In case you haven't read the news lately, here's the latest CNN report on "one of the worst natural disasters to hit the Caribbean". Valerio de los Santos and Miguel Batista, both natives of the Dominican Republic, are understandably worried about the safety of their own family and friends back home.

I would like to have co-ordinated a last-minute food/clothing drive for tomorrow's game at the SkyDome (the last game of the homestand), but my efforts at reaching someone at 1 Blue Jays Way have failed thus far.

For now, the best way to help seems to be to make a financial donation to the Red Cross:

The Jays will aim to make it five consecutive home wins this afternoon as they meet the Rangers in a 4:05 pm start. Young Juan Dominguez gets the start for Texas, while Miguel Batista takes the hill for Toronto. A win today would give the Jays a 14-5 record at home on their last 19 games -- which, thanks to their horrible April performance, would push them one game above .500 at Skydome. The Blue Jays are making Toronto a place other teams don't want to visit. Everyone except Ed Mirvish would probably say that's a good thing.

Fresh off their sweep against the division-leading Angels, the Jays have a chance to make up further ground this weekend against Texas. The Rangers should be motivated after suffering the embarrassment of back-to-back shutouts on the South Side of Chicago, but might also be a little weary as they continue a road trip that won't end soon.

The Rangers lineup features some lively bats, including platoons in left, centre and DH that are generally working out very well. Although some Ranger stars are mired in slumps, sweet-swinging Michael Young remains a dangerous hitter at the top of the order. On the pitching side of the ledger, Texas features an improved bullpen; like an offensive line in football or a referee in hockey, the fact that they're seldom noticed reflects well on them. This weekend, the Jays face a struggling righty, a fresh-faced youngster and a veteran lefty pitching with a lot of confidence. Should be fun, and I'm making the trek back home this weekend to take in some of the action!

On to the Advance Scout!

The Mighty O-Drum makes its triumphant return to SkyDome tonight!

My adjusted NCAA statistics are still in progress and I have a top 100 over at The Hardball Times.

As the major league Alex Rios watch began last night the depleted Syracuse Skychiefs won without him as the minor league teams were 2-1 on the night.

Clear the floor to dance
Throw the walls into the fireplace

The Blue Jays could have been swept by Anaheim. If the Angels had covered home plate the first two games, if a hard smash off Jason Frasor had found its way into right field last night, the Jays would have been looking at another embarrassing home-field wipeout. Instead, they're riding a modest but much-valued three-game winning streak, and having stood their ground in Boston the weekend before, they've essentially played the American League's best to a standstill. This team is finally showing signs of a real turnaround.

It just doesn't get much better than this.

While I had an idle moment at work, I was thinking about Sparky's terrific play last night in the ninth inning.

Tried to find my mountain hideaway
Maybe next year maybe no go

Recently promoted Alex Rios will almost certainly got the start in right field tonight against Angels southpaw Jarrod Washburn, giving most Toronto fans their first opportunity to see the franchise's #1 prospect. Keep your expectations tempered -- Rios was sporting a sub-.300 OBP at Syracuse when he was called up, although he was hitting much better in May than he was in April. Tonight could be the start of the most promising Blue Jays outfield career since -- well, since Vernon Wells. But Rios is not going to look like an All-Star in 2004. Enjoy his presence, but don't get too charged up.

J.P. was kind enough to announce the roster moves live on the FAN after the thrilling finish to tonight's game, but I thought I'd reproduce them here for comment.

Moving into the universe
Drifting this way and that
Not touching ground at all
Up above the yard