Four wins in six tries for the affiliates.  But you'll have to read the details to believe some of the stuff that went on.

In a shocker of a trade, the Tampa Bay Rays traded two-time All Star Scott Kazmir to the Los Angeles Angels for three minor leaguers.  As it turns out, the 25 year-old lefty made his last appearance as a Ray last Wednesday at Rogers Centre and he's the subject of our POTD.

Not sure what got me thinking about the name "Perry" recently, but it's one of those names that has been a first, middle and last -- all of the above! -- in major league lore. You've already thought of the brothers, Gaylord and Jim, right? And if you were paying attention in the 1990s, maybe Gerald and Herb have crossed your mind.

But the truth is, we have to violate Hall of Names tradition to build a full roster -- and even then, we can't quite do so without ignoring a long-standing HoN rule and accepting roster applications from more than just the last-named amongst our Perry-atric crew.

The name "Perry" has appeared in big league ledgers more than 30 times, including 12 times as a last/family name (apologies to RHRP Parson Perryman, 2-4 with the 1915 SLB, who is not eligible), twice (just twice?) as a given/first name and 15 more times as a given/middle name. Three managers, including two who were also players, bore the name "Perry," including one of our two Hall of Famer pitchers. So we'll struggle along, employing our best fencing moves, in building a roster for (sorry about this) ...

The affiliates one-upped themselves from Friday night and won four games on the Saturday.

A 3-3 record on a Friday night is reason to celebrate. There is just over a week remaining in the minor league regular season, so it's time for prospects to leave a positive impression going into the off-season.

The GCL Blue Jays won in extras thanks to a wild eleventh inning. Meanwhile, Las Vegas won a rare 1-0 game with a four-man shutout. New Hampshire lost and Dunedin split their doubleheader because of a Tampa grand slam in the first game, but won the second on a three-run triple by Eric Thames. Auburn and Lansing won by the same 3-1 score with key relief being provided by Mathew Morgal and Jason Roenicke, respectively.

Not since the days of our former esteemed roster member Named For Hank has "Photo of the Day" seen the light of day here so that's why I'm bringing sexy back!!  No, not NFH - the photo!!!  Besides, I'm here now!

 

Four losses and two games were postponed or cancelled. Ho hum.

The teams whose cities begin with "L" get the "W's" Tuesday night.  Go figure!  The 51's get the big inning twice, the Lugnuts are on the right side of a split against their Tigers counterparts and a strange injury in Auburn sidelines the Doubledays best hitter in a 2-4 night for the affiliates.

For the seventh year in a row, I am once again asking for hardcore baseball fans to participate in the annual Scouting Report project, in which you evaluate the fielding characteristics of players on your team. If you have a few minutes, please drop by and evaluate your team.
http://www.tangotiger.net/scout/

If it wasn't for the second game in a GCL double-header, the affiliates would have scored progressively fewer runs as you descend the minor league ladder. So what I'm saying is, stop reading after Dunedin.

Okay, so I'm way off the monthly schedule. Still: never say die!

Hey, gotta take the positive wherever you can these days!

Honestly, this was depressing to read and write about.  Absolutely nothing of note went on for the affiliates as they picked up one win in five tries.  I'm just writing out the string at this point.

Two wins, two losses, and two rain outs.  It's all sussed out below.