A bunch of good and almost great pitching performances, and a shot at a clean sweep.

My good pal, Eddie Michels, who reports for a number of media outlets from Dunedin and environs, says that Jayson Nix has been working out at the Englebert Complex in Dunedin at Extended Spring Training this week.  He passed on some shots of Nix.   GregorMLB tweeted this evening that Nix played five innings at extended spring training today and is expected to join Dunedin tomorrow in Ft. Myers.  He says Nix is expected to join Toronto as early as this weekend.

One affiliate won by a converted touchdown, one lost by a field goal, another had two field goals to overcome a safety and the other put up a converted TD and field goal to best a rouge (a single point in the CFL for those who don't know!).  Total it all up and it's a golden 3-1 night for the good guys.

Vince Horsman is the pitching coach for the Lansing Lugnuts.  In 2010 Horsman was the pitching coach for the Auburn Doubledays and many Doubledays are now Lugnuts.  Horsman is one of few professional baseball players who hail from Nova Scotia.  Horsman was originally signed by the Jays in 1984 and played in the Jays system before being called up to the major leagues in 1991.  Horsman went on to pitch for Oakland and Minnesota in the major leagues as well.  I spoke with Horsman last week while I was in Lansing.

Let's just not talk about that last series, how's about that?

When I was in Lansing last week I managed to take a video of both Michael Crouse and Jake Marisnick stealing second base.  The video is at the link at the bottom of the page, get your stopwatches out.  I haven't timed them, low four seconds is good.

The farm went 2-2, and the highlights included Eric Thames continuing his hot streak, Nestor Molina continuing to be the best pitcher in Dunedin, and a certain Torontonian having a big day.

While watching tonight's game, I couldn't help but feel that the Jays are trying to win games with one hand tied behind their collective backs. They just aren't very good and there are a number of players who are in roles they can't handle. I welcome readers to give their own opinions/gripes, here are mine ...

I was in Lansing from May 1st to 3rd watching the Lugnuts play against the Lake County Captains.  Lugnut Fan was there too for two of the games.  I have descibed what I saw below.  In summary Drew Hutchison looked very good, Sean Nolin also looked good.  Jake Marisnick looked like a five toool prospect, he had six hits in three games and ran and fielded well. Carlos Perez was his usual line drive self.  Most of the other hitters didn't stand out.

I apologize for the brevity of this report, but it's Mother's Day and my wife is celebrating her first ever special day. The affiliates had a good day with three wins in four tries.

Three of the bigger pitching prospects on the farm, Zach Stewart, Asher Wojciechowski and Drew Hutchinson, were in action last night. Unfortunately, none of them picked up victories and their results ranged from mediocre to forgettable.

Justin Verlander threw a no-hitter against the Blue Jays this afternoon. He was perfect aside from a well-earned walk by JP Arencibia in the 8th inning on a 12-pitch walk. Arencibia was erased on a double-play by Encarnacion. Verlander only struck four batters all game, but he punctuated the performance by striking out Rajai Davis for the final out of the game.

On Friday, the farm clubs batted in a total of 27 runs on 37 hits including 6 round trippers.

The top affiliates all won and most of the top prospects delivered.

A 3-0 night on the farm - how many times do we get to say that? And no, Las Vegas wasn't rained out. I know, right!