When Seth McClung shut down the Jays on Friday, the usual complaints were heard. "The Devil Rays always give the Jays trouble." Or, you know, it could just be the fact that even if the Jays win 90 this year, that means they lose 72. (Though this is yet another series in which the Jays did not sweep nor get swept; that's another topic, however.)

Okay, I'll admit having thought that the Fighting Jays show less fight against the boys from St. Petersburg, but I quickly dismissed it. It's one of those things people say so often that they think it's true. But it's not. Or is it?

Been a weird few days for Photo of the Day -- after a red-hot start, the last three pictured players have all sat out on their POTD days. What to do?

Offer up a photograph of a group of players, that's what:

Two of the affiliates did not play yesterday, and Syracuse were swept in a doubleheader, so Lansing had the only opportunity for the Jays minor league system to get a win.  Lansing did win thanks to Jesus Gonzalez who scored two of the three runs and didn't get out all day.  Aaron Tressler pitched well enough to win, but didn't, and Kevin Barker hit two home runs. 

If you subscribe to Lee Sinins' ATM (Around the Majors) Report daily (multiple) e-mail newsletter, then you know this already. If you don't, you may not understand the enormity of it. But in yesterday's ATM Report, as recorded here in ATM's blog archive, Sinins announced, "I have decided to submit my resignation from the ATM reports, effective immediately."

I don't know Sinins, have never met him -- we have exchanged a very few baseball/Web-related e-mails -- but this occasion demands two things: (1) that as a subscriber I take a moment to express how disappointing -- while understandable, certainly -- this is; and (2) that as a baseball fan, we take a moment to say "Thanks, Lee."

Not all is lost, however ...

As if I get the Rogers preview channel...

The farm affiliates were all at home and feasted to the tune of a 3-1 record.

You can not sweep the series when you lose the first game, and you can not win the first game if you do not hit. And when you do not hit, there will be Frustration. And Irritation.

Davis Romero led the Fisher Cats to their 5th win in a row, this time over the Portland Sea Dogs, as the farm affiliates went 1-1 on a rain-soaked Friday in the East.

If you weren't here this morning, please read Part 1 and Part 2. So, let's set the scene again. Hudson on first, 1 out, Snakes up 7-6 in the top of the eighth. Flores on the mound and the pitching spot up for the Snakes. You wait for the Snakes to announce a pinch-hitter, Damion Easley, and then bring in Braden Looper. You've got Toguchi and backup catcher Bennett on the bench and decide to eschew the double switch even though your pitching spot is up second in the bottom of the eighth. Looper gets out of the top of the eighth without any damage being done.

If you're new to this round of "You Be the Manager", please read Part 1. You brought in Brian Falkenborg to face Counsell. He's hitting in the 6 slot, and John Rodriguez comes in for Encarnacion with Bigbie moving to right and hits in the 9 slot. Counsell hits a sac fly, but Falkenborg escapes without any further damage. Rodriguez rewards your sagacity by plastering a 2 out tater, Eckstein follows with a walk and then Luna grounds out to short on a close play. Alas, he pulls a hammy in the process and has to leave the game and is replaced by Aaron Miles. The score is tied 5-5 after 4 innings.

Ever fantasized about being Tony LaRussa?  You haven't?  I cannot imagine why not. And today is your lucky day, because not only do you get to be that masculine god, but you get to manage National League style.  We're going to do this one in 3 parts, with questions every few hours. We'll start with a relatively easy one.

The affiliates finished 3-1 as David Purcey struggled in his start against Pawtucket, but everyone else finished well. Purcey had control issues and let his walks hurt him, but he also allowed a surprising stolen base. Another first-round pick, Ricky Romero, made his second start of the season and performed well enough to earn a star.

Is this TDIB? Is it a report on the Jays and A's? You're asking me?

The real big news yesterday comes from the Bronx...

There are very few plays in baseball more exciting than one player smacking into another at home plate.  Perhaps I only think that because I was raised in the Great White North, where every sport is judged better when people smack into one another.

Anyhow, here's Chone Figgins smacking into Bengie Molina -- feel free to try to narrate the internal monologue of one, the other or both.

I have never had two more different experiences as a spectator than a pair that I had this year. Both involved Theo, my son. One was fantastic, and the other was a nightmarish train-wreck.