A three game set at the Son of the House that Ruth Built. Second place is on the line.

I fear the Yankees.

The Vancouver Canadians fell to 0-2 to start the second half of the Northwest League season but they rebounded with their first win to split their doubleheader against the Hillsboro Hops, an Arizona Diamondbacks affiliate, at Nat Bailey Stadium Thursday night.

Game one starter Andrew Case drops a ball at first base that would eventually lead to a second run for Hillsboro in the third inning. The New Brunswick native struck out his first batter looking but that was the only K he registered in three innings. He allowed two runs (one unearned) on four hits and three walks. He reached 95 miles per hour with one pitch but was usually around 90 for his outing.

Our Future Game representatives had solid nights down in AA, but Raul Valdes was the star tonight pitching Buffalo to victory.

On Wednesday the affiliates were 1-5, with 2 PPD games. The only win came from Lansing in a walkoff victory in extra innings.

Vince Horsman is the pitching coach for your Lansing Lugnuts. I asked him about a few pitchers when I was in Lansing last weekend.

Clayton McCullough is the Blue Jays co-ordinator of instruction. This is a new position for the Jays. Previously McCullough has managed at several spots in the Jays system and he also spent the first half of 2013 as the Jays bullpen catcher. I caught up with McCullough last weekend in Lansing.

In a best-of-seven, the affiliates came up short Tuesday with a 3-4 record. Lansing had the night off.

The affiliates lost five out of nine Monday, thanks in large part to a doubleheader sweep and a come from ahead loss. The Mariners affiliates were of no help whatsoever, handing Jays farm clubs two losses and costing another a playoff spot.

The Jays have designated Sergio Santos for assigment. Rob Rassmussen has been recalled. Santos has an ERA of close to eight this season and a WHIP over two. Santos has only four, three up, three down innings this year and only one of them has come after April.

I guess if you don't have money to sign players, the release of a non-performer "sends a message" to the team to win now. This maybe explains why AA was looking at Aaron Sanchez as an option for the major league bullpen, he is a Santos replacement.

The affiliates were 3-3 today with a bunch of strong hitting and starting pitching performances. DJ Davis helped Lansing, and Jon Berti helped New Hampshire with walk off hits, leading their team to victory.

Matt Smoral struck out nine in five innings and Richard Urena had three hits to lead Bluefield to victory. Scott Gracey one-upped Smoral as he struck out seven in 2.2 innings. Sean Nolin made a rehab start for Dunedin but the hitters won the game by batting around twice. Vancouver won easy with Jairo Labourt leading the way.

Buffalo's hitters are quiet, like the big club, and they lost. Daniel Norris was bombed even though Dalton Pompey and Andy Burns had a couple of hits each. Lansing also lost with yours truly watching.

"Would you say it's time for our viewers to crack each other's heads open and feast on the goo inside?"

"Well yes I would, Kent"

Franklin Barreto had four hits, scored three runs and rove in three to lead Vancouver to a win. Andy Burns, Dalton Pompey and KC Hobson homered to pace New Hampshire to a win. Dunedin also won while the GCL Jays split a doubleheader. Buffalo, Lansing, and Bluefield lost.

The Jays hope some home cooking can get them back on track as they begin a seven-game homestand. They re-acquired Brad Mills off waivers from Oakland.

Brad Mills is back with the Blue Jays. He will be wearing #38, a decrease of 21 after wearing #59 in his first stint.

Minor league baseball to be had.