Very little pre-amble here. It's 2:31 am and I'm tired. So, let's get right to it.

I decided to research the performances of the American League closers, after some debate on the weekend when Miguel Batista nearly blew a save. Bauxites had varying opinions on his performance; this shall attempt to answer the questions. Enjoy!

Lots of offence in Syracuse and Lansing nets wins for the Toronto farm; so does solid pitching in Dunedin, but in Auburn it’s not enough.

NFH is asleep now. This is Rob here. John Gibbons is a Slave To The Save and it cost this team the game. No argument, no "but that's second-guessing," no nothing.

It was a terrible move to bring Walker out. Just terrible.

Slave To The Save!

The Jays hope to continue their solid play in Anaheim, where they face a club clinging to a one-game lead in the AL West. Winning the series -- as the Jays did against the Halos, back in the Rogers Centre in July -- could prove to be a tall order.

Then again, the Jays manage to avoid the Angels' two primary workhorses, and they throw two lefties at a club that sometimes struggles with southpaws. Both teams like to throw strikes and flash the leather...it should be an entertaining series.

This week's Scout features an old-school starter, a white-hot Vlad and an old friend that might be returning to an old role. Plus, a couple of Molinas(!) and a Trivia Challenge!

On to the Advance Scout!

Consider: Greg Legg, IF, 1986-87 Phillies. Rollie Fingers, Hall of Fame reliever. Roy Face, All-Star closer, 1960s Pirates. Armando Benitez, All-Star closer, active.

That's right, it's time to build our all-body-parts Hall of Names team (and presumably Tom Cheek will be calling the games). As you can see ...

A guy who cheats in a friendly game of cards is a cheater. A pro who throws a spitball to support his family is a competitor.
-- George Bamberger

No, I don't think that's what Brad Arnsberg is saying in today's photo of the day, but he could be saying it.

What else could he be saying?

Fresh off his recent Jamie Campbell-approved Trading Deadline Roundtable...once again, here's everyone's favourite Sicilian Cheer Clubber, Jobu.

I had a chance to talk with Dick Scott for a few minutes last Friday. Scott was in New Hampshire with the Fisher Cats, getting ready to head for Dunedin and Orlando where the Farm Directors are meeting this week. Scott had seen Casey Janssen pitch for the Fisher Cats the night before and that is where we started the conversation.

Rob Cosby had a big day as the Fisher Cats won. Auburn came from behind to also win. Otherwise three losses made it a 2-3 day. With just over three weeks left in the season, three teams are in the playoff hunt.

Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Leesburg, Virginia for tonight's game.

Currently being driven to the mound in the world-famous 1969 Dodge Charger from "The Dukes of Hazzard" The General Lee, to perform tonight's national anthem is the love-lee star of stage and screen, actress LeeLee Sobieski. She will be accompanied by noted musicians Tommy Lee and David Lee Roth followed by a special rendition of "God Bless the U.S.A." by Lee Greenwood.

Throwing out tonight's ceremonial first pitch is Lee Chaden, executive vice president of the Sara Lee Corporation.

You get the idea?

Ho hum, just another win.

Tuesday's Game Report will study the closers in the American League and how Batista stacks up. If you have some belief about Batista ("he sucks" or "he's good" or "he doesn't throw first pitch strikes") or about closers in general, post it in this thread so we can do one of two things on Tuesday:

Good pitching will always stop good hitting and vice-versa.
-- Casey Stengel

Unless you're a Jays fan, of course. Then you might want to forget him.

Orioles 1, Jays 0

The farm affiliates pulled out all the dramatic cliches en route to a 5-1 evening. Big leads almost blown in the nervous ninth. Walk-off homers. Walk-off baserunner kills. Let's hope the big boys were watching.