There were no thrilling photo-finishes to dramatically alter the final standings in the Alomar division. While the regular season title is satisfying, Walrus management is well aware that we haven’t won anything that really counts yet. No matter how good any team has been so far, a considerable degree of luck is required in Head-to-Head playoffs.

Congratulations to Gwyn Price, whose Mebion Glyndwr earned the other first-round bye. In this week’s championship bracket quarter-finals, third-place AGF takes on the sixth-place Red Mosquitos for the right to knock me out of the semis, and the fourth-seeded Gashouse Gorillas do battle with fifth-seeded Chatsworth Halos, with the winner to face Gwyn’s squad.

Then all the colours will bleed into one
Bleed into one.
But yes, I'm still running.

You broke the bonds
And you loosed the chains
Carried the cross of my shame
Oh my shame, you know I believe it.

Walking hitters has been a problem for Jay pitchers all season. Yesterday's game was, sad to say, not the low point of the season in this regard. Today, they face the A's red-hot Canadian pitcher Rich Harden. The much-travelled Ryan Glynn starts for the Jays. Glynn has pitched well for Syracuse particularly in the second half of the season. If he throws strikes, he'll be fine. Easier said than done. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a call to take on my shoe phone.

Fine pitching in Syracuse and Auburn and a topsy-turvy win for Charleston were the order of the day as the farm affiliates went 3-1.

Stranger in this town.
Where are all the good times?
Who's gonna show this stranger around?
Ooooh, I need a dirty woman.
Ooooh, I need a dirty girl.

Good pitching and lots of hitting led Syracuse, New Hampshire and Charleston to wins. Six minor leaguers had three hit games. Auburn emulate the big Jays with five errors in game 2, three in the last inning, as they were swept in their doubleheader.

While the A's have their seemingly annual hot streak as they head toward another division crown, the Jays find themselves at the other end of the standings spectrum. As the Jays approach the final 4 weeks of the season they find themselves in last place 3.5 games behind the Devil Rays who have lost their last 7 games. The Jays are 7 games behind 3rd place Baltimore, and barring another diastorous September by the O's, that looks unobtainable.

Despite my sub-par showingupness against the Mariners (I came to one game, late, and ended up by myself because the CC snuck down), or perhaps because of it, I am coming to all three against Oakland.

There's just nothing like a Batter's Box Game Thread to inspire creativity in the denizens (and, in this case, the Denyszyn) of Da Box ... in yesterday's Yo No Soy Marinero thread, frequent contributor Rob mused, "Hmmm...Da Box needs to do an All-Sesame Street Team." And after the gritty, painful pop culture homage of the July 23 All-Grease Team, how can we refuse such a request for our ongoing Baseball's Hall of Names collection? Ask and ye shall receive here at Da Box; hell, usually, don't ask and you'll receive anyway. But before we get to our All-Sesame Street team, please rise for our national anthem:

So I can show you how your money's spent

Francisco Rosario has his groove back as the Fisher Cats break out the sparkling wine. Russ Adams is hot as he leaves Syracuse, Guillermo Quiroz and Eric Crozier are not. Ryan Glynn, who has a degree in business economics, delays his retirement plans. Plus bonus coverage for the same low price.

Every team won and Auburn lost (the back end of a doubleheader).

The A's are amazing. Every year, right after the All-Star Break, they start playing excellent baseball. Every year, they gain separation from the pack with a red-hot August. Every year, they coast to a playoff berth by showing no mercy to out-of-contention opponents with a strong September. And every year, they confidently march into the playoffs, only to play the Division Series and...um, hey, did I mention that they play great in September?

This week's Scout features a Canadian on a roll, a fading first-year player, a red-hot reliever and some fine play from the infield corners. Plus, check out which A's starter might present the best opportunity for the Jays to steal one this weekend; it may surprise you.

On to the Advance Scout!

A tough opponent and a great pitching matchup are on tap at Skydome tonight. The AL West-leading Oakland A's are sending ace Tim Hudson to the mound against the Blue Jays, who will counter with their best pitcher, former Athletic Ted Lilly. It should be a pitcher's duel, but Oakland can still knock the ball around, and for Toronto, Vernon Wells might finally be breaking out of his horrific slump. No word yet on whether the Syracuse call-ups will be starting tonight; the lineups should be available inside the hour.

A review of the classic baseball novel The Natural by Bernard Malamud.

Do I have to stay here ’til the end of time
I’m - good lookin’ and bright
I wanna see life after ten at night