The bullpens played a big part in yesterdays games as the affiliates split.  In New Hampshire the bullpen turned a 6-5 lead with two outs in the ninth into an 8-6 loss.  In Dunedin a 6-1 lead for the Jays became 6-5 in a flash.  In Syracuse the bullpen had to pitch 7.2 innings after David Purcey had a bad day.  In Lansing the bullpen only had to pitch two innings to preserve a 2-0 lead.

Burnett started and got the win yesterday.............that would be Sean Burnett who defeated Syracuse. 

Who doesn't need Roy Halladay adorning their desktop? I know I could use him on mine.

Plus you get to see what Photo of the Day looks like when lit by the sun, for a change -- too bad they closed the roof shortly after the game began. (And in other news, those irritating little specks that I was retouching out of the pictures of Troy Glaus were apparently bugs! The things you miss when you're at the other end of a long lens in the camera bay...)

update: I just heard that Edgardo Alfonzo will make his Jays debut tonight -- scroll down to see a bonus Photo of the Day of Edgardo as an Angel a few weeks ago.

Fun game, that. It was quickly approaching July 1, 2004 status when Eric Hinske got kneed in the head (the White Sox like doing that to the Jays, I guess) but it ended very soon after that play at second...

The farm affiliates split 4 games on Saturday.

The farm affiliates went 3-1 on Friday night, with the big bats in Syracuse leading the way.  Yes, Pierre, there are big bats in Syracuse.  Read on.

Who am I to argue with Jordan?

Finally, some home run power out of the shortstop position tonight....

With Ted Lilly on the mound, it seemed reasonable to expect that most of the plays would be made by the outfielders. Against Freddy (7-1) Garcia, having nine real hitters seemed a wise policy.

I had a quick look at the calendar to make sure it wasn't April first -- Jeff Blair at the Globe and Mail has revealed that Troy Glaus will indeed play shortstop tonight against the Chicago White Sox. It's not permanent --

"I'm just looking at tonight's game," Gibbons said. "This guy is one of the better pitchers in the league and we need offence. These guys (the White Sox) are going to score a lot of runs and we're going to have to keep pace."

The farm affiliates went 3-1 on Thursday night.

....and the second and the third rounds. After the Jays first pick they pick next at #120.

John McDonald, the Minister of Defense, takes a run towards a ground ball in today's photograph:

Syracuse and New Hampshire took it on the chin yesterday.  Josh Banks surrendered a couple more home runs as the Chiefs ran out of pitchers.  The Fisher Cats "blew up good" late in their game.  Dunedin salvaged a win for the affiliates as Lansing had a day off.  Orlando Trias pitched well enough to win, with thanks to the bullpen, while Robinzon Diaz and Ryan Klosterman supplied the offense.

Damn, but that Carl Crawford can play ball..

From Tuesday night against the Devil Rays, here's Shea Hillenbrand smacking the tar out of a baseball -- it landed somewhere in the cheap seats.

Josh Towers and Russ Adams have been sent to AAA. The Jays must have a special deal on the AAA shuttle or they want the frequent flyer miles but the shuttle has been busy this year. Jason Frasor, Vinnie Chulk, Shaun Marcum, Dustin McGowan and now Towers and Adams have all been sent down to AAA.

UPDATE: Sportsnet is reporting Adams will play second base in Syracuse.

15 ground balls, 3 fly balls. 7 strikeouts. Classic Roy Halladay.