Sunday's game featured strong starting pitching performances by Drew Hutchinson, Daniel Norris, and Shane Dawson.  Bluefield had no problem with Princeton, as they won by ten runs. 

Mark Buehrle vs CJ Wilson. What unusual plays will we see today?

Steve Delabar has been placed on the 15 day DL with shoulder inflammation. It appears that JA Happ will be recalled to take his place.

The Bluefield kids had their hitting shoes on. Dawel Lugo was 5-5, Mitch Nay 3-5 and DJ Davis 2-5, all with home runs. Mike Nickeas hit a walk off home run for Buffalo. Lansing had a nice come from behind win. Tom Robson led Vancouver to a nice win. New Hmapshire and Dunedin were shutout. For the second straight night a Blue Jay team was almost no-hit. Dunedin didn't get their first hit until the ninth inning. The GCL Jays lost as Matt Smoral struggled with his control again.

These are the best seasons by Blue Jays pitchers. Something to cheer us up in these dark times. Thank you. I feel much better now.

All eyes were on the pitchers on Friday. JA Happ was not sharp, Danny Salazar and the Clippers relievers were. The Bisons were no hit for eight and two thirds until Anthony Gose singled.

Kyle Drabek pitched four solid innings for New Hampshire as did Deck McGuire pitching in relief. The Fisher Cats won.

Aaron Sanchez pitched five shutout innings but the bullpen was not good, Dunedin had only two hits and lost easily.

Taylor Cole has had an up and down season but he was outstanding on Friday and Lansing cruised.

Alberto Tirado struggled but battled through as Bluefield won. Jesus Tinoco was outstanding as the GCL Jays split a doubleheader. Vancouver blew a big lead before winning in extras.

Among the players the Jays faced on Friday were the uni-named Jose Jose, Socrates Brito who was philosophical about the Lugnuts win, and Confesor Lara, against whom the GCL Jays didn't have a prayer.

The Melky-less Jays try and win a game in Anaheim. Last Sunday Todd Redmond faced the Astros and recorded ten strikeouts. The Anaheim lineup will provide a different challenge tonight and a truer test for Redmond. With JA Happ almost ready to come back Redmond is competing with Esmil Rogers and Josh Johnson to see who keeps their spot in the rotation.

It was another pitcher named Josh who inspired this exercise, in the wake of another disappointing season of under-achievement.

Josh Towers. We owe him so much.

Ricky Romero was solid over six innings of work tonight. Right behind him was Sean Nolin who pitched well over five innings. Gabriel Cenas had two homeruns down in the GCL and Dwight Smith Jr. was on base eight times tonight as Lansing played a doubleheader. In all, the affiliates were 5-4.

Josh Johnson (29, RHP, 1-7, 6.08) tries to show his last 3 games were flukes (13 2/3 IP 19 ER 4 BB 17 SO 6 HR) while the Angels hope Garrett Richards (25, RHP, 2-4, 4.33) is Dr. Jekyll (2 of last 4 games were 0 runs allowed) rather than Mr. Hyde (other 2 of past 4 were 5+ runs).

The Jays affiliates were 2-4 on the final day of July, with Lansing's game being postponed due to rain.   Marcus Stroman had his second consecutive double digit strikeout game, but continues to be plagued by the long ball with New Hampshire. 

(Hey, it just sounds better than "Inside the Rogers Centre.")

Anyway, the Jays have been playing full-time at their current digs since the 1990 season. Certain trends have been established. But what Toronto's pitchers have been doing at the Rogers Centre this season hasn't been seen before.

The affiliates split their eight games on Tuesday but were 2-3 in games featuring shutouts. On the plus side, there was an inside-the-park home run that clinched a victory and another Canadian Canadians pitcher had a strong debut in a Vancouver uniform.

Can Buehrle continue his run as the Jays best starter? In April he looked like he was washed up.

The affiliates wound up on the right side of a 4-3 record Monday night. Triples were the key to two victories, including one that helped lead to a walk-off win.  A BC pitcher and a hitter tried to give the BC team a win but they came up short.

Off to the west coast and 10 PM (EST) baseball (ick).  Esmil Rogers (27, RHP, 3-4, 3.74) vs A.J. Griffin (25, RHP, 9-7, 3.84)