The affiliates split their eight games on Tuesday but were 2-3 in games featuring shutouts. On the plus side, there was an inside-the-park home run that clinched a victory and another Canadian Canadians pitcher had a strong debut in a Vancouver uniform.

Can Buehrle continue his run as the Jays best starter? In April he looked like he was washed up.

The affiliates wound up on the right side of a 4-3 record Monday night. Triples were the key to two victories, including one that helped lead to a walk-off win.  A BC pitcher and a hitter tried to give the BC team a win but they came up short.

Off to the west coast and 10 PM (EST) baseball (ick).  Esmil Rogers (27, RHP, 3-4, 3.74) vs A.J. Griffin (25, RHP, 9-7, 3.84)

The farm was 2-5 on Sunday, with the only two wins coming from Bluefield.  Bluefield won both games of a double header, thanks to excellent pitching from Jario Labourt, and Alberto Tirado. 

Todd Redmond (28, RHP, 1-1, 4.43) for the good guys,  Jarred Cosart (23, RHP, 1-0, 0.60 over 15 IP 2 starts) for the Astros. 

Kyle Drabek was almost perfect as he set the stage for a Dunedin win. Ricky Romero struggled for his second straight start. The Bisons put together a comeback against Jose Valverde but couldn't get all the way back. Three Lansing pitchers combined on a three hitter as the Lugnuts won. The GCL Jays were held to three hits but that was enough for them to win. New Hampshire were blown out, the bullpen cost Vancouver and Bluefield were rained out.

The GCL Jays were no-hit in their first game but won 1-0. Blue Jays draft pick, Clinton Hollon made his debut in the game with two perfect innings.

It was a six and three night on the farm. Mauro Gomez had all four RBI's in Buffalo's win. Dawel Lugo had 4 hits in Bluefield's win. Dan Klein hit a home run and a double for Lansing as they won. Vancouver scored a run in the eighth to win a close one. Miguel Castro of the DSL Jays recorded 13 strikeouts.

New Hampshire lost in a rout. Dunedin were also well beaten. The GCL Jays were no-hit in their first game, but won, and didn't get a hit until the fifth in game 2.

A bit late, but better than never.  Dickey vs Lyles (4.78 ERA 26-58 BB SO ratio in 84 2/3 IP).

Yippee, my turn to write about the disaster that is the Toronto Blue Jays this season. Unlike the big club, tonight was not all doom and gloom as a recovering prospect pitched tonight and pitched mighty well. Buffalo rallied in the ninth for four runs and a come from behind win, however, there was not much hitting after that as New Hampshire was no-hit, Lansing was shutout, and Vancouver and Bluefield scored one run apiece. The affiliates were 3-4 tonight.

Am I late? Buehrle vs Bedard, its like seeing double, except at different speeds.

The farm was highlighted with strong performances from Marcus Stroman, KC Hobson, and Dalton Pompey.  The farm teams went 6-2 tonight, with extra inning games for New Hampshire and the GCL Jays.

By now, one thing is obvious: someone else ought to be handling the game threads.

Dane Johnson is the Blue Jays minor league pitching coordinator.  Dane has joined us here on Da Box many times over the years and I recently caught up with him for a mid-season update on some of the minor league pitchers.

The affiliates won four out of seven but it could have been seven out of seven. All three losses were of the one-run variety in which the opposition scored the winning run in their final at-bat. On the positive side, the opposition was limited to three runs in the four victories.