After defeating Baird Brain 9-2, my Toronto Walrus remains atop the BBFL Alomar division for another week, with a 4.5 game cushion over the Horse Field Hammers, who were 8-3 winners over the Eastern Shore Birds. Four games farther back, Billie's Bashers are third despite dropping a 6-5 decision to the Springfield Isotopes, then there's a virtual tie for fourth. With a 10-2 rout of the Thunderbirds, the Chatsworth Halos moved up; AGF, whipped 10-2 by Reykjavik Fish Candy, slipped a couple of notches from second. Hannibals Cannibals, after beating Gashouse Gorillas 9-2, are now sixth. The big move of the week was by Red Mosquitos, who stung Jick’s Rays 11-1 to get back to .500 and advance from 17th place up to 12th.

There might be a sweep at Skydome today! Better yet, it might be carried out by the home team! The Blue Jays have rattled off four wins in a row as they continue to emerge from their April snoozefest. But today's assignment might be particularly tough: 2003 Andujar Winner and erstwhile Jays albatross Esteban Loaiza goes for the ChiSox, anxious to avoid a northern brooming; the Jays counter with Justin Miller, The Illustrated Man. Gregg Zaun and Howie Clark get the starts for the Gray Jays in the field. The Toronto forecast calls for partly cloudy skies and a high of 16; might this be the day the dome cracks open?

Phelps sinks Sox with do-over. Batista impressive as Jays win fourth straight game, this time 4-2 over the White Sox.

You know your major league team is doing well when?

They're winning in blowouts, they're winning in come-from-behind fashion --- the main thing is, they're winning. The Blue Jays look like they're starting to come together. The starters have reeled off five good starts in a row, the bullpen's anxiety attacks appear to be easing, the batters are starting to find their groove, and the manager appears to be steadying himself. This could be bad news collectively for a league that was rightly concerned about the Blue Jays' potential coming into the season. The Jays face another lefty today in Scott Schoeneweis, which unfortunately means Dave Berg is in left field today and batting second. On the hill for Toronto is Miguel Batista, the only winless starter left in the rotation and one who is long overdue for a solid seven innings and a victory.

Jays win close encounter with Sox 5-4 with the winning run in the 9th inning for their 3rd win in a row.

Last night I took the folks, visiting from Ohio, to The Ballpark in Arl ... er, excuse, me, as of last night, Ameriquest Field in Arlington. At least we know that whenever the Rangers do decide to "mortgage" the future for a pennant race, they'll have the right sponsor in place.

The Ballpark -- and yes, everyone will continue to call it that -- is a wonderful place. And enough happened in last night's game to make me not sorry at all we opted not to go tonight to watch the reconstructed arm of R.A. Dickey; of course, now Dickey will throw a one-hit shutout or something.

Anyway, here are a few notes and observations ...

Two blowout wins and two extra-inning losses. Compared to two blowout losses and two extra-inning wins, this is good for Pythagoras but bad for the soul.

A repost of what I mentioned earlier. If you can make it, you really ought to come!

On September 27th, 2003, Will Carroll visited with about 50 or so of us a diehard seamheads. We had pizza, we had beverages, we saw Roy Halladay win his 22nd game, and everyone other than Jody Gerut and Brandon Phillips had a terrific time.

Now Mr. Carroll is coming back to Toronto!

In the absence of a Blue Jay game, the minor leagues were the focus last night. A revolving roster of Bauxites provided play by play on yesterday's minor league thread. The Daytona broadcast, through Jordan as scribe, provided a small town perspective on baseball. If any Bauxites are headed to Daytona we have the inside scoop on chicken wings and babes. What more do you need?

Is something everyone should see
Neon lights and the pretty pretty girls
All dressed so scantily

The Jays seem to have finally shaken their SkyDome jinx. Unfortunately, they face a curse that foiled them last weekend -- not once, but twice: The White Sox One-Run Magic.

One might think that a team that excels in one-run games to the tune of winning eleven of twelve might have a dominant closer. Instead, Damaso Marte has been shaky, and Billy Koch has converted more than his share of comfortable leads into one-run nailbiteers. One might also think that a firm, experienced skipper might be at the helm of a one-run juggernaut. But instead, it's rookie manager Ozzie Guillen, who has been haphazardly substituting and making pitching changes seemingly based entirely on instinct. To Guillen's credit, though, his Sox play hard, and the clubhouse is harmonious.

So what's my point? Point is, the bubble's bound to burst. Here's hoping the Jays break through against nemesis Jon Garland tonight for a close victory, followed by some big offence in the weekend games. Should be an entertaining series.

On to the Advance Scout!

It's true, we're easy to please here in Blue Jay Nation these days. Coming off two consecutive victories over Kansas City, the hometown Graybirds want to make it an unprecedented three wins in a row at home this year. To do that, the bats will have to continue their renaissance and the pitching will have to be solid against the White Sox. It's a holiday season matchup tonight, as Jon "Christmas" Garland takes on Ted "Easter" Lilly. The Blue Jays hope the end of the game will be cause for Thanksgiving! Okay, that's enough of that.

Rick Adair is the pitching coach for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. When some Bauxites visited the Cats in Erie recently we talked with Rick about The Blue Jays organization, Leo Mazzone, and some of the Blue Jay prospects.

One win, three fairly ugly losses and an injury to one of the organization’s best prospects; could we have a night where the big club and the little clubs all do well?