Just two games for the affiliates last night.  Both starters threw nearly identical lines.  One suffered a loss while the other was saved by some late game heroics.

Brian Tallet and the Jays came out on the wrong end of a pitcher's duel at Fenway Park as they lost 2-1 to Tim Wakefield and the Red Sox Tuesday night. 

One win at the higher levels thanks to outstanding pitching and one win at the lower levels despite a Bad News Bears impersonation with the leather.  Total it all up and the four affiliates split things right down the middle with a 2-2 evening. 

I'll just cut to the chase, since this is really what you want to hear: J.P. Arencibia had a huge night, going 3-3 with 2 homers, a double and 2 walks. No matter what else happened, it was a good night for the affiliates.

It's a throw down, a show down, hell no I can't slow down, it's gonna go...DOWN!

In advance of the "Throwdown in Beantown", the Jays of Blue completed a four game sweep of the Sox of White with a 3-2 victory Monday afternoon at the Thunder Dome.

Batters Box recently had the opportunity to check in with Jon Lalonde before June's draft.  Lalonde and the entire amateur scouting team are at their busiest right now preparing for the draft.  Obviously Lalonde was unable to comment on specific players and in truth the Jays draft board has probably not been settled yet.  Many college teams are still playing and trying to qualify for the college series.  Meanwhile cold weather high school players have recently started playing their seasons.

I don't think there are many surprises in his answers but he does leave the door open on high school pitching and also suggests, but does not absolutely say, that his budget has not been cut back.

Disclaimer - the following is an article I wrote for Baseball Prospectus Idol, a contest whose purpose is to find a new writer for BP. The ten finalists have been announced, and, well, I am not among them. But I wanted this piece to see the light of day, so enjoy!

Disclaimer 2 - this piece was written before, um, certain events took place. Fortunately, these events only strengthen the article's main point!

The Jays are 2-for-2 on bobblehead days this season with the featured players contributing to victories.  Alex Rios jump started the offence as the Jays quadrupled the White Sox 8-2 Sunday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

Strong pitching and weak hitting was a theme in the minors on Sunday, as the four affiliates allowed just 10 runs in five games yet still only won two of 'em.

Only one win for the affiliates, a big come from behind, ninth inning, win by Dunedin.  Justin Jackson was 2-3 with three RBI's.  It's a very small sample but in the three games since coming off the DL Jackson is 7-9 with no strikeouts.  

Sorry for the lateness of the report, but some of us had to work early, early on the first official day of the long weekend. Las Vegas and New Hampshire won, while Dunedin took two losses in a double-header. Lansing was rained out.

The Jays go into the weekend with their lead in the division back up to two games.

First place, Kind of fun.

A thread from the excellent website www.sportslogos.net pointed out that www.bluejays.com is now selling the Canada Day jerseys and caps the team will wear when they take on the Tampa Bay Rays at the Rogers Centre Wednesday, July 1st.

Las Vegas finally get good pitching from the starter and the relievers in the same game and win a game in the land of the delta blues.  New Hampshire lost despite two more hits by Brad Emaus.  Lansing split a doubleheader with the win coming on another good start by Henderson Alvarez.

Winning in Memphis
Winning with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Winning in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel

Dear Batter's Box faithful,

I don't understand. There was a baseball game yesterday involving the Blue Jays, and there hasn't been a game thread posted. There's always a game thread posted -- why just yesterday, there was one extolling all the "positive firsts" of the series opener in Da Bronx.

Today, nothing. Did something ... different ... happen yesterday?

Best regards,
Mick Doherty
Batter's Box resident Yankee fan