The Jays face the only team with a more disappointing last two weeks, as the weary and demoralized Baltimoreans come to town for a three-game set that was, at one time, shaping up to be a meaningful pennant-race series. After being swept by the A's in a four-game set at Camden Yards, Baltimore is simply hoping for a return to normalcy and an escape from the controversy that has surrounded this club without any real respite since Jose Canseco named three players in the Orioles' spring training camp in his book.

This is not, however, going to be easy for the Jays. Rodrigo Lopez was brilliant in his last start, and 21-year-old Hayden Penn, who was nearly traded away mid-season, hopes to give Baltimore and its loyal fans some optimism with a strong start on Thursday, when rosters expand.

This week's Scout features an impending end to a streak, an ex-MVP candidate and a troubled pitcher with a troubling amount of money still guaranteed by Baltimore.

On to the Advance Scout!

Now you swear and kick and beg us
that you're not a gambling man
Then you find you're back in Vegas
with the handle in your hand

Miguel Batista awaits the return throw from Gregg Zaun:

Dane Johnson, the ex-Blue Jay pitcher, is now the minor league roving pitching instructor for the Jays. Johnson was originally drafted by the Jays in 1984, and made it to the major leagues ten years later. Johnson was visiting Buffalo last week and took a few minutes to talk with Batter's Box about some of the organization’s pitching prospects.

Big innings are the order of the day as the Toronto farm wins 3 and loses 2.

It's an off day... I thought I'd make a little Data Table.

And we have been talking obsessively about how well the Blue Jays hit with runners on base, haven't we?

Something has gone amiss at work (one of the monkeys has escaped from the lab - or something like that). Because of that, the game report is going to be delayed for awhile.

I'll cop out to the change,
but a stranger
is putting the tease on.

Here's another under-represented Jay when it comes to Photo of the Day: Reed Johnson.

The Braves are in control, but the wild card is up for grabs for the four other NL East teams.

With the end of the season now just over one week away only Dunedin and Auburn are serious contenders for playoff spots. Syracuse rode Gabe Gross' hot bat and Zach Jackson's arm to beat Ottawa. New Hampshire were swept by Portland, again, and are almost dead in their chase for a playoff spot. David Purcey pitched on the wild side. Jacob Butler played his first game for Auburn and had a good day, just not as good as Ryan Patterson.

Sunday, Monday, Happy Days. Tuesday, Wednesday, Happy Days. Thursday, Friday, Happy Days. The weekend comes, My cycle hums, Ready to race to you.

These days are ours ... happy and free. (Those Happy Days)
These days are ours ... Share them with me. (oh baby)
Goodbye gray sky, hello blue.
There's nothing can hold me when I hold you.
Feels so right, it can't be wrong ... Rockin' and rollin' all week long

Josh Towers held Cleveland to five hits in his seven innings - alas, all five went for extra bases. Two solo homers, three doubles, and a throwing error gave the Indians four runs.

The offence was feast or famine on the Toronto farm, as they scored a total of 18 runs in 2 wins and just 1 in 4 losses.

She said "you don't understand what I said"
I said "No no no, you're wrong
When I was a boy, everything was right