We need an exorcism. I don't know what it is about that stupid arena, but the Jays are now 6-19 there against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Or as the headline on ESPN.com put it ... "Liriano-no."

Poor Edwin Jackson -- eight innings of six-hit ball against the Twins, but one of those hits was a fourth-inning solo homer by the Twins' Jason Kubel, and Jackson's Pale Hose mates tarried nary a single base knock against the mighty (for one night anyway) Twins. (How's that for 1920-era game reporting?) ...

Yes, Francisco Liriano may have walked six Sox, and needed 123 pitches (only 66 of which were strikes) to complete his start, but with it, he authors the first no-hitter ofthe 2011 season.

Discuss this 1-0 "masterpiece" herein ....

(P.S. Offense is down across MLB ... I put the '11 no-hitter over/under at 3.5 ... and I'll take the over! Your thoughts?)

Sorry about the lack of a daily thread today - I was busy last night drinking my election sorrows away. How about a game thread instead?

Halfway to Joe D.
Okay, twenty-eight is when it may be worth starting to pay attention.

That's the length of Andre Ethier's current hitting streak, and exactly half as long as the legendary Joe D'iMaggio's streak back in '41. It's already the second-longest streak in the illustrious history of the Brooklyn/LA Dodgers. (Quick, a thousand cuttlefish says you can't name who's first, at 31, without looking it up).

So Bauxites, how far does Andre's streak extend?

Oops, I mean literal. Ew, actually that would be gross.

Vegas pounded 15 hits and 8 runs and still lost by a significant margin. That's Vegas for you. The affiliates as a whole went 2-2, and there were a couple of good pitching performances.

Does this sound familiar? A 30 year old outfielder, who made his ML debut back in 2004... reinventing himself in mid-career?

We're talking, of course, about the guy who ruined Jesse Litsch's day yesterday afternoon.

The affiliates went 4-1 on the first day of May and only Lansing's result marred a potentially perfect day.

A Lansing shutout was the only win on the farm last night, as New Hampshire ran into a good young pitcher and an expensive one, while Luis Perez was outdueled in a battle of southpaws. At the plate, Travis Snider made a strong claim than he’s not suited for Triple-A anymore.

The Mets and Pirates take center stage once again in this edition of the POTD.

Mets ace Johan Santana fires away against the Buccos at PNC Park August 22, 2010.

With about 20 games played in the 2011 season, two Blue Jays farm club teams are in the cellar in their respective league divisions, one in second place and one on top.  Las Vegas, suffering a current nine game losing streak is at the foot of the Pacific Coast League Pacific South Division with a 9 – 13  record.  Likewise, Dunedin, riding a 1 game winning streak, but  hurting from a weak start of the season, is 8 – 13, and at the bottom of the Florida State League North Division.

On brighter notes, Lansing is tops in the Eastern Division of the Midwest League with a 14 – 7  record and a three game winning streak.  And at 11 – 8 New Hampshire started out strong and are in second place in the Eastern League Eastern Division, despite a two game losing streak.

It struck me the other day that the Blue Jays staff doesn't have a lot of experience.

Specifically, I wondered if Ricky Romero, with just two seasons under his belt, might actually be second on the staff in career innings pitched.

The Lugnuts took both ends of a doubleheader. Which is two more wins than the rest of the farm.

Let the earth hide thee!
Thy bones are marrowless, thy blood is cold;
Thou hast no speculation in those eyes
Which thou dost glare with.

Travis Snider has been optioned to AAA Vegas. He'll be joined by Chris Woodward, who has been outrighted to the 51s. Room is thus created on the active roster for CF Rajai Davis and 1B David Cooper.

No, really, we don't just publish threads for wins. But ... Mitch Moreland? Derek Holland? Cody Eppley? Really?

Rangers 7, Jays 6. (Discuss.)

P.S. Trivia time ... Texas has the second-best record in the AL right now. Without looking it up -- can you guess which team has the best?

A couple of pitching gems steal the show, and New Hampshire lets loose.