The big boys were 0-3 on the night but the short-season teams picked up the slack with three wins. Dunedin's game was postponed due to rain.

It was a quiet night on the farm with two extra-inning losses, a victory in Double-A and a game where Auburn almost should have left their bats at home. There were a couple of strong starts, but there were some difficulties in the pen and a 3-run ninth inning gave away one of the games. Although he didn’t get a star, Kevin Ahrens hit a homer and drew a pair of walks.

David Cooper had a big night, three hits including a two run game winning home run in the ninth inning.  Lansing won in extra innings, or rather South Bend lost it as the Lugnuts last five runs were unearned.  The GCL Jays won behind a three hitter.  Las Vegas, Dunedin and Auburn each lost.

The affiliates could easily have gone 6-0 but they had to settle for a split as two games got away in extra innings and another was lost in the late going.  The hitting with runners in scoring position was abysmal but there were a number of good performances turned in on the hill.

Las Vegas had 19 hits in their win.  Angel Sanchez had three of them and 7 RBI's including a grand slam.  Sanchez has been hot recently with the bat, hot streak or new level of performance?  Time will tell.  Dunedin as a team had three hits but still won on a Jesus Gonzalez home run.  Lansing and the GCL Jays both lost in extra innings.

Sorry for the delay, folks.  Only one win on Sunday but some impressive performances from the cream of the crop helped ease the pain.

I was in New Hampshire a couple of weeks ago to see two games and, with real life interfering, I am only now getting around to a scouting report.  In addition to my scouting report I spoke with Gary Cathcart, manager of the Fisher Cats, and Tom Signore, pitching coach.  I have added their comments to my own.

New Hampshire found their bats and scored early and often to reverse their lack of hitting in the previous two games.  Dunedin won behind good pitching by Chuck Huggins and a home run from John Tolisano.  Auburn also won in a group effort.  GCL Jays lost a squeeker but Las Vegas and Lansing were easy losers.

Another lousy Friday night with two wins out of six.

The affiliates won both games that went into extra innings but lost every game that didn’t. Fabio Castro and Scott Gracey turned in strong starts while Henderson Alvarez did not. Andrew Liebel took another loss despite not pitching too badly. Brian Dopirak had a forgettable night while two fast-rising relievers pitched scoreless innings. However, the biggest story may have been in New Hampshire where the Fisher Cats came within two outs of being no-hit.

Kenny Rodriguez and Zach Dials combined on a one-hitter as New Hampshire were the only bright spot on this night.  Las Vegas and Auburn each had given up double digit runs by the third inning and Dunedin and Lansing were behind early too but not by as much.  David Purcey had a bad night, Zach Stewart made his Blue Jay debut.  To take our minds off the carnage Farm Director Dick Scott answered a few  quick questions for Batters Box.

Man, that trip to Madison and Milwaukee last week really took it out of me.  Did you know that Milwaukee is pronounced "Meel-wah-kay" which is Algonquin for "the good land?" Oh, we went over that already?  Okay, that was just a diversion for yet another late update.  I'm not worthy!  I'm scum!

However, the affiliates were more than worthy by winning three of out five.  Las Vegas had the night off to go enjoy the slots.

Las Vegas split a double-header with Salt Lake, and the 3-4-5 hitters (Randy Ruiz, Travis Snider, Brian Dopirak) continued to mash.

Sorry for the delay. I'm actually on vacation in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Of all the things I've hoped to do in this small artists town about a three hour drive north of Mexico City, sounding off on another disappointing day for the affiliates isn't one of them. I haven't looked at the boxscores yet so this had better be worth it. EDIT: It was

Brian Dopirak had a big day at the plate for Las Vegas and Aaron Mathews had a couple of key hits as Las Vegas squeaked by Salt Lake. New Britain dropped both games of a doubleheader. There were also victories by Dunedin, Lansing and the GCL Blue Jays, as Auburn lost again.