The minor league season is winding down. There have been pleasures and disappointments. One thing is sure; when the season is over, I will miss it. The farm affiliates went 4-1.

I'm sure you all know by now that the Jays lost 3-2 to the Stinky Devil Fish because of a blown save by Miguel Batista.

Just one more strike...

But NOOOOOO!!

While preachers preach of evil fates
Teachers teach that knowledge waits
Can lead to hundred dollar plates
Goodness hides behind its gates
But even the president of the United States
Sometimes must have to stand naked

Inspired by Dave Till's August 2005 Report Card for the Blue Jays' major-league players, I put together something similar for the five minor-league franchises still playing as of this date (Pulaski's season has ended). Here's one observer's take on the good and the not-quite-so-good for the Blue Jays' five top farm teams.

Here is the latest in what may seem like a never-ending series of monthly report cards for the Blue Jays. Enjoy (or, at least, tolerate).

Had 'em all the way...

The Blue Jays match their 2004 win total and get back to .500.

And if I had told you in April that Scott Downs would strike out more hitters in a game than any other Toronto pitcher, you'd have beaten me senseless.

After blowing sizeable leads on three consecutive evenings, Tampa Bay tries to do what it does best: Annoy the Jays and their fans.

Toronto's had a slightly easier time playing the D-Rays this season as opposed to other recent years, but the post-break series in which Tampa snagged three of four was crippling to the Blue Jays. T-Bay has actually been a very competitive club over the second half of the season, as they've been swinging hot bats and getting serviceable pitching. This should be an interesting series, with all three Jays hurlers throwing the ball quite well of late.

This week's Scout features a couple of old friends, a couple of new faces and a player who is the best in baseball history at his position -- seriously! -- according to at least one statistic. Stay tuned on Monday as Thomas clears the Ayers in a pinch-hit Orioles Advance Scout. And read on for another Trivia Challenge!

On to the Advance Scout!

Sorry about the delay -- photo of the day fell victim to a power outage at the Hank Homestead.

Here's Eric Hinske, keeping Julio Lugo honest at first base:

The future's uncertain
and the end is always near

Auburn swept a doubleheader to almost guarantee a playoff spot. Dunedin also won to keep them on place for the playoffs. New Hampshire lost to all but seal their tickets out of town for Tuesday, Syracuse, and Jason Arnold, lost late while Lansing won. Robert Ray was unable to reprise his no-hitter and had to settle for five shutout innings. Cory Patton hit a pair of homers and Davis Romero won again

Jay Gibbons and B.J. Surhoff hit 6th inning homers off Dustin McGowan to bring the Orioles back from a 3-1 deficit. Dustin threw a heavy ball, and rarely gave up the long-ball, in the minor leagues prior to his Tommy John surgery. It often takes 2-3 years for pitchers to return to their pre-surgery level of effectiveness; perhaps Dustin's struggles in the big leagues are a part of the usual recovery process.

The west is the best
The west is the best
Get here, and we'll do the rest

I won't go into the long and tedious details, but I've spent some time thinking about game show hosts recently -- and that naturally led to a Hall of Names take on the topic.

That's right, a team made up entirely of players who share their last/family name with renowned game show hosts such as Len "Bob" Barker, Andre "Richard" Dawson and Blake "Ben" Stein.

As with any game show, of course, a loud nasty buzzing sound will occur ...

The Jays drop it 5-3 to fall below .500 for the first time since July 19.