They call it short-season ball, but the previews are just as long.

The Auburn Doubledays have averaged 51 wins over their last three years. In other words, going year-by-year and adjusting for a full 162-game season, they have won the equivalent of 100, 123 and 110 games from 2002 to 2004.

Alas, in every one of those years, they lost in the first round of the playoffs. Let's see how the Atlanta Braves of the NY-Penn League fare this year with the following players:

Auburn and Pulaski struggled in their short-season debuts, while the Fisher Cats made Justin Verlander feel most welcome in his AA debut.

The Pulaski Blue Jays begin their 60th season of Appalachian League baseball Tuesday night with a match against the Danville Braves.

Just two games for the Blue Jay farm on the eve of the short season, and neither came out in favour of the good guys.

The Syracuse Skychiefs won two more games to make it eight wins in a row despite Shaun Marcum's shortest appearance of the year. The bullpen lost a game for the Fisher Cats while Lansing won the last game of the first half, a nothing game as far as the playoffs are concerned.

Lots new, actually. New Hampshire and Lansing won, while Syracuse played 14 innings to no avail. Suspended games are so unsatisfying.

Three games, five total runs scored, three of them on solo homers. It's a testament to the strength of Blue Jay pitching that the system came away with a 1-2 record on the night and nearly pulled off a 2-1. Too bad the high-powered Dunedin offence was on All-Star Break hiatus. Accordingly, this minor-league update is a slim and concise volume.

The Blue Jays recently fielded a lineup with six first round draft picks, Vernon Wells, Roy Halladay, Alex Rios, Russ Adams, Aaron Hill and Gabe Gross. There is another first round draftee playing in New Hampshire who would love to play for the Blue Jays, first baseman Clint Johnston.

It's always something. How about 3 homers for Miguel Negron? It works for me, and it worked for the Fisher Cats, as the farm affiliates went 3-1 last night.

I was in Erie last weekend watching the New Hampshire Fisher Cats play. I spent some time getting to know Zach Jackson and Ryan Roberts.

A bizarre headline even for me; going here might explain it. Or not. A 2-1 night on the farm. If this was the NHL, it would be a 2-0-0-1 night, or a 2-1-0-1 night, I forget how they handle the overtime loss.

2 for 2 night on the farm, with the Skychiefs issuing some payback.

This is Jonny's Minor League Update.

Jonny's not here, man. But we have the news anyway.

Lots of runs scored on a hot Sunday. The hitters are featured today, Gross, Cosby, Arnold, Cannon and Thigpen are featured. Plus bonus coverage, conversations with David Bush and Brandon League.

It's an old joke, and not very good, but we will take all the levity we can get after a 1-3 night on the farm, complete with 2 late blown leads.