Closing in on me
I'm packing up and running away
To where nobody picks on me
A long afternoon for the Jays as Kelvim Escobar defeats his former team with nine strikeouts and plenty of offensive support. Ted Lilly's ERA jumps to 4.27 in advance of his first All-Star appearance and Kerry Ligtenberg's ERA begins to resemble Orson Wells in Touch of Evil.
Game Summaries: MLB.com's Spencer Fordin on Kerry Ligtenberg's formula for distress, Geoff Baker on Ligtenberg and Company's lack of confidence, and the Canadian Press on Kelvim Escobar's emotional day.
In Fordin's Notes column, Ricciardi says Toronto's top two draft picks should be in the fold no later than the beginning of August. Ricciardi isn't sweating the negotiations because draftees David Purcey and Zach Jackson pitched long college seasons and wouldn't have thrown many pro innings this season anyway.
Richard Griffin sees reduced playing time for Alex Rios when Cat and Wells return, and he doesn't like what he sees.
Thurman Munson's son is engaged. Seattle DFA's Rich Aurilia. Ken Griffey strains yet another hamstring.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040711110244999