J.P. was kind enough to announce the roster moves live on the FAN after the thrilling finish to tonight's game, but I thought I'd reproduce them here for comment.

Moving into the universe
Drifting this way and that
Not touching ground at all
Up above the yard

The "Hentgen for Closer" campaign hasn't quite managed to reach the ears of the decision-makers at Skydome yet. So his rooters at Batter's Box will have to content themselves with his start tonight against one of Anaheim's big free-agent pitchers, Bartolo Colon, who nevertheless has been dogged by reports of diminished velocity lately. The Jays got a gift win last night, but one they worked hard for and deserved; they'll try to keep it going against the league-leading Angels after a rare Tuesday off-day. No word yet on the status of Carlos Delgado and Orlando Hudson.

So, according to Jeff DaVanon, Bengie Molina couldn't hear his teammates shouting that home plate was uncovered because of the noise being made by the fans in the SkyDome. Take that, naysayers: a loud home crowd can make the difference between a win and a loss!

The twenty-first century's yesterday
You can care all you want
Everybody does yeah that's okay

Well, what do you know, I just received this handy e-mail from Major League Baseball, and they want me to decide who should play in the All-Star Game this year! Now, that's not quite the same honor as being, say, a judge on American Idol, but it IS time to start thinking about who has earned everyone's votes on the (take a deep breath, Texas Ranger fans) AmeriQest Mortgage Company 2004 Online All-Star Ballot.

There's no game to worry about tonight. So go vote. And be sure to tell us who you voted for.

Updates, roster shuffles and several points of interest and importance for Bauxites: read on for some Batter's Box news.

The front-running Walrus endured our worst week of the season by far, yet somehow managed to escape with a 6-6 draw and maintained a nine-game lead in the standings. It helped that none of the closest contenders had great weeks, either. Mebion Glyndwr held on to second by rallying from an 8-3 deficit on Sunday for a 5-5 tie with the rebuilt SABR Magicians. AGF was defeated 7-4 by the improving defending champion Austin Senators, missing a chance to gain some ground. Baird Brain closed the gap on Billie’s Bashers with an 8-4 decision; they're now tied for fifth. The big move of the week was made by the Eastern Shore Birds, who trounced cellar-dwelling Jick’s Rays 10-2 to vault from seventh all the way to third. The Moscow Rats beat the Horse Field Hammers 9-3, moving to the fringes of playoff contention. Thirteen teams are now bunched within a dozen games of second place, so anything can happen. I'm fortunate to have a little cushion, as my team is awful right now.

All illustrated with cartoons
So when they come with that opinion poll
They better not use words like
Ideology
Or try to tell me 'bout the issues
Ideology
Whose side are you on?

And now here comes the tough part of the schedule.... The Blue Jays, fresh off getting swept in Boston, come home to water-logged southern Ontario to face the team with the best record in the major leagues, the Anaheim Angels. Mike D's excellent Scouting Report tells you how the Angels are doing so well with so many key injuries, but the Jays have to hope that Anaheim's good fortune starts to waver a little tonight. Toronto sends its -- gulp -- best starter so far this season, Justin Miller, to the mound against the largely hittable John Lackey. The Jays have been losing painfully this year, close so often but falling short in the end; they could and perhaps should have taken 2 of 3 in Fenway. Can they rally to make a statement against the high-flying Angels?

Even though I have confidence in Miguel Batista, I'm half hoping for a rain out so the Jays can take stock and make some mental adjustments. Their confidence must be at a low ebb, and facing a Boston team with a tremendous pitching staff can't be a pleasant thing.

Another tough loss for the Jays, this time 5-2 to the Sox.

Monday, Wednesday and Thursday our Blue Jays face the Angels at SkyDome. Who's coming with me to make some noise and cheer 'em on?

Another 8th inning bullpen implosion turned a tie game into an 11-5 loss to the Red Sox.

There was much gnashing of teeth among the faithful and not-so-faithful after a second consecutive bullpen blowup. Can Lilly tame the Sox and the Monster? How deep into the game will he go?

Zaun and Menechino (SS) start tonight. Ortiz sits, Kapler is playing right and Mirabelli is the DH for the Sox.