After a little more than two weeks away from the ballpark, I’m back on the Blue Jays beat down the stretch. It was a wonderful little break, considering my wife and I welcomed our first son, Hayden Charles Bastian, into the world on September 1.

Thanks to all who sent me congrats notes via Twitter, blog and e-mail. I didn’t respond to very many, but all were received and appreciated. But, after spending the last weeks at home with the fam, it’s time to get back to work and finish out this ’09 season.

As for the Jays, not a whole lotta news to speak of this evening. Joe Inglett is still day-to-day with sore ribs, Jeremy Accardo has been fighting a flu bug for the past couple days and catcher Kyle Phillips will likely be behind the plate again for lefty David Purcey on Monday.

As for tonight? It’s a familiar lineup with Doc on the hill in the Bronx. Not a bad way to kick off my return to the pressbox.

Today’s lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (65-79)
Fourth place AL East, 27.5 GB

1. Marco Scutaro, SS
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Adam Lind, DH
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Lyle Overbay, 1B
6. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
7. Rod Barajas, C
8. Jose Bautista, RF
9. Travis Snider, LF

Starter: RHP Roy Halladay (14-9, 3.03)

NEW YORK YANKEES (93-52)
First place AL East, — GB

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Johnny Damon, LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Jorge Posada, C
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Nick Swisher, RF
9. Brett Gardner, CF

Starter: RHP Sergio Mitre (3-2, 7.02)

Don’t forget, you can follow me on Twitter: @MLBastian

~JB