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.

I don't know about you but I've been looking forward to this for a long time.  A majority of the players and coaches from the 1992 and 1993 World Series Champion Toronto Blue Jays are in town this weekend to celebrate the glory days.  Oh yeah, the Baltimore Orioles are in town too and let's hope they'll be gracious guests by lying down like dogs for the next three games!

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.

The Dome's pretty quiet at 5:15.

No Texas Ranger has ever won an American League Cy Young Award. Oh, Fergie Jenkins finished a distant second to Catfish Hunter back in 1974, but more usually, even when a guy like Little Ricky Helling won 20 games in 1998, he didn't receive a single vote -- Jay fans may remember that as a Roger Clemens unanimous Cy year.

Well, I am here to tell you that all that is about to change. Not this year (sorry, Kevin Millwood) or even in the next couple of years (calm down, Tommy Hunter), but at some point in the next 5-7 years, and I write this without even a hint of hyperbole intended -- young Neftali Feliz will win 20+ games, strike out 300+ batters, maybe toss a no-hitter or two, and be the first Ranger to haul home a Cy to Arlington, Texas.

Feliz, who is just barely 21 ...

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

I wrote a somewhat detailed analysis about this, and then my computer crashed and I lost everything. It made me angry. Hulk smash and all that. Anyway, I don't want to type it all out again, so here are the conclusions I came to.

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

Mike Green, an original Batter's Box roster member and still a regular Bauxite visitor to Canada's best baseball site, is a wonderful writer. So when he asks if he can contribute a "Pinch Hit" feature to the site every now and again, the only concern we have is that readers will want to know why there aren't more frequent Green missives.

Recently Mike and his lovely bride Ellen took a trip to Boston to visit Fenway Park. (Yes, yes, insert your own "Green Monster" pun {here}.) Let's talk a stroll down Yawkey Way and into the Fens with the Greens ...

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.

Sure the big-league club stunk it up last night and the club lost a Gold Glove third baseman at the trade deadline, but Halladay is still here and the triple-A affiliate had a big night with the bats... So, baseball life goes on.

After waiving his no-trade clause, Scott Rolen was dealt to the Reds for Edwin Encarnacion and minor league pitchers Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart.

The deadline approacheth, and there are  trades to report.

The Red Sox deal for Victor Martinez seems to be final - Cleveland is apparently to receive Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone, and Brian Price. (this is via tweets from SI's Jon Heyman, who also says the Red Sox will send Adam LaRoche back to Atlanta to clear a spot for Martinez.)

The Jays affiliates split their six games last night, winning at Triple-A and their two games in the low minors. David Purcey pitched a strong game and Travis Snider had a strong night at the plate. New Hampshire had a poor game at the plate and a costly error hurt in a one-run loss. Auburn and the GCL Jays escaped with victories despite adventures on the field in both games.