I remember Burley mentioning that he actually made notes during the game when he was writing the Game Report. What a novel idea! Why don't I try that?

I said you wouldn't want to miss this one. Scott Kazmir and Roy Halladay both pitched fine games, although neither were around when this thing was finally settled. The Jays broke through for a couple in the 11th for a 3-1 victory, taking advantage of an obviously flagging Doug Waechter working his fifth inning of relief.

Mrs. Hank, baby Theo and myself drove out to Washington D.C. over the weekend to visit family and check out two of the Jays vs. Nationals games at RFK.

They weren't always the New York Yankees. In fact, they didn't always play in New York.

So you understand less
as the pages turn

The Toronto Sun sports section? Maybe. But the lyric applies to these minor league updates in a way too: We can hazard an educated guess as to how a SkyChief might perform were he promoted to The Show next week, but by the time we get down to Pulaski virtually anyone on the roster could be the next Mike Piazza or the next Jeromie Spillman. The results last night: 3 wins and 2 losses, plenty offence but not a lot of pitching.

Magpie, 4:05 PM yesterday: "It's Bad Mojo to mock the Devil Rays just when the Jays are about to play a three game set with them. That sort of talk always comes back and bites you in the ass."

Myself, 6:45 PM yesterday: "...join in on the Nomo-bashing, or let the Jays do it for you."

Nomo, last night: Two runs over seven innings.

Okay. I get it.

Bleh. I don't relish writing the Game Report for this "game."

Make no mistake: The Jays have a real opportunity to gain ground over the next three days.

The Jays face a speedy but utterly pitching-poor Devil Rays squad that failed to build on the momentum of having shakem off an embarrassing 20-11 loss to win a four-game series in the Bronx. Other than the typically reliable Danys Baez, there is simply no pitcher on this roster that ought to be able to overmatch the Blue Jay bats. Should the Jays avoid the Tropicana Field gremlins that have haunted them since the Tampa franchise was born, they should win this series going away.

This week's Scout features a lightning-quick duo, a slumping backstop and a young pitcher who needs to make serious amends to his teammates. And no, I don't mean Travis Harper.

On to the Advance Scout!

Not in the sunshine or the distance between
The cigarettes we burn
The books we claim to read

Glyndwyr gets a showdown with the Senators, while the Barfield and Carter Divisions get new leaders.

The top three teams win, the next two suffer bullpen losses, and Pulaski are blown out, but Wesley Stone, the Jays top high school pick this year, has a nice first start, including his first pro tater.

Now that's a bit more like it.

Gustavo Chacin tries to stop the hurting. And he did with a little help from his friends.

It is time for you to laugh instead of crying
Yes it's time for you to laugh so keep on trying

So, Dick Scott sent out an e-mail to the farm affiliates on Saturday morning. It was simple. Starting pitchers are expected to throw shutouts, while the hitters are expected to hit a few homers. Lo and behold, the clubs by and large listened and the plan worked, as the farm affiliates went 5-1.