Today's lineups:

SEATTLE MARINERS (80-75)
Third place AL West, 10.5 GB

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
3. Jose Lopez, 1B
4. Mike Sweeney, DH
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Bill Hall, LF
7. Kenji Johjima, C
8. Matt Tuiasosopo, 2B
9. Josh Wilson, SS

Starter: LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith (4-3, 3.70)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (71-84)
Fourth place AL East, 28.0

1. Jose Bautista, RF
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Randy Ruiz, DH
6. Kevin Millar, 1B
7. Rod Barajas, C
8. Travis Snider, LF
9. John McDonald, SS

Starter: LHP Brian Tallet (7-9, 5.39)

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

~JB

Today's lineups:

SEATTLE MARINERS (80-74)
Third place AL West, 10.5 GB

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
3. Jose Lopez, 1B
4. Mike Sweeney, DH
5. Bill Hall, LF
6. Jack Hannahan, 3B
7. Matt Tuiasosopo, 2B
8. Adam Moore, C
9. Josh Wilson, SS

Starter: RHP Ian Snell (5-2, 4.53)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (70-84)
Fourth place AL East, 28.0

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

Starter: LHP David Purcey (1-2, 5.31)

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

~JB

Today's lineups:

SEATTLE MARINERS (80-73)
Third place AL West, 10.5 GB

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
3. Jose Lopez, 2B
4. Ken Griffey Jr., DH
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Kenji Johjima, C
7. Mike Carp, 1B
8. Josh Wilson, SS
9. Michael Saunders, LF

Starter: RHP Doug Fister (2-3, 4.37)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (69-84)
Fourth place AL East, 28.0

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

Starter: RHP Doc Halladay (15-10, 3.01)

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

~JB

Chatted with Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi for a while pregame and covered a number of topics. Among them was the situation concerning injured right-hander Dustin McGowan.

For a while now, McGowan's name has been excluded from the list of arms rattled off when talking about the rotation next year. His comeback from shoulder surgery last year has been slow and he blew out his left knee earlier this year.

Ricciardi said on Thursday that McGowan is throwing again and noted that his recent progress has been promising. That being said, it's still far too soon to set any kind of expectations for the pitcher for the spring.

"He looks really good. The ball is really coming out of his hand well," Ricciardi said. "He feels really good. There's another kid that you're just rooting for him, because he's had so much bad luck."

Ricciardi said McGowan is currently up to 110-115 feet in his throwing program and could be on a mound some time next week.

If McGowan can defy what have seemed to be slim odds for a while now, and return to the Blue Jays' pitching staff, it could provide a big boost to the club. Ricciardi didn't rule out bringing him back as a reliever, though. It will certainly be one fo the storylines to look forward to during Spring Training.

Other items from the discussion: Ricciardi believes Jason Frasor and Scott Downs could split the closer duties next season; Catching prospects J.P. Arencibia (kidney surgery earlier this month) and Brian Jeroloman (upcoming hip surgery) are out of the Arizona Fall League; Ricciardi believes Kyle Phillips could be in the mix as a backup catcher next year; Robert Ray, Brad Mills and Reidier Gonzalez will pitch in the AFL.

Oh, as for Ricky Romero?

"You know what?" Ricciardi said. "You need a wheelbarrow to take his balls to the mound. That's how big they are."

Today's lineups:

SEATTLE MARINERS (79-73)
Third place AL West, 11.0 GB

1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Franklin Gutierrez, CF
3. Jose Lopez, 1B
4. Mike Sweeney, DH
5. Adrian Beltre, 3B
6. Bill Hall, LF
7. Matt Tuiasosopo, 2B
8. Josh Wilson, SS
9. Rob Johnson, C

Starter: RHP Felix Hernandez (16-5, 2.45)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (69-83)
Fourth place AL East, 27.5

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

Starter: LHP Ricky Romero (12-9, 4.28)

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

~JB

Today's lineups:

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (60-91)
Fifth place AL East, 35.5 GB

1. Felix Pie CF
2. Cesar Izturis, SS
3. Matt Wieters, DH
4. Nick Markakis, RF
5. Luke Scott, LF
6. Justin Turner, 3B
7. Michael Aubrey, 1B
8. Chad Moeller, C
9. Robert Andino, 2B

Starter: RHP Jeremy Guthrie (10-15, 5.05)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (68-83)
Fourth place AL East, 27.5

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

Starter: RHP Scott Richmond (6-10, 5.31)

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

~JB

The Blue Jays may very well make some changes after this forgettable season, but rest assured, manager Cito Gaston isn't losing any sleep over his future.

"If they want to make a change, they want to make a change," Gaston said on Tuesday. "If not, you just look forward to next year and try to finish this year on a positive note. We did have every starter on this team down. We've had players out.

"It has been a really tough year. I've never had that many injuries on any team that I've ever managed."

Now, there is nothing to suggest that Gaston won't be back in the manager's seat come 2010. In all likelihood, he will still be at the helm for the final year under his current contract. It's just, well, you never know, and Gaston knows that as well as anyone.

Remember, Gaston was let go by Toronto in September of 1997, and it took him 11 years to return to his role as manager with the Jays. Gaston said, as he looks back on '97 and tries to compare it to this year, while losing is something he hates, he finds it a little easier to accept now.

"Back then, when you had that many veterans, you should have a better playing team," Gaston said. "We have some young kids here playing, pitching especially. It's just something building toward the future, whether I'm here or not. This team will always be a part of my hard no matter if I'm here or not, so I'd like to see them get better and I'd like to see them move forward and play well.

"It's never easy to lose. I really can't stand losing, but I understand it. I probably understand it a little bit more, a little bit better now."

Today's lineups:

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (60-90)
Fifth place AL East, 34.5 GB

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Felix Pie, CF
3. Matt Wieters, C
4. Luke Scott, LF
5. Melvin Mora, 3B
6. Ty Wigginton, DH
7. Lou Montanez, RF
8. Michael Aubrey, 1B
9. Cesar Izturis, SS

Starter: LHP Mark Hendrickson (5-5, 4.47)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (67-83)
Fourth place AL East, 27.5

1. Jose Bautista, RF
2. Aaron Hill, 2B
3. Edwin Encarnacion, 3B
4. Vernon Wells, CF
5. Rod Barajas, C
6. Kevin Millar, 1B
7. Randy Ruiz, DH
8. Travis Snider, LF
9. John McDonald, SS

Starter: LHP Brian Tallet (7-9, 5.31)

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

~JB

Today's lineups:

BALTIMORE ORIOLES (60-89)
Fifth place AL East, 34.5 GB

1. Brian Roberts, 2B
2. Cesar Izturis, SS
3. Matt Wieters, C
4. Nick Markakis, RF
5. Melvin Mora, 3B
6. Luke Scott, LF
7. Ty Wigginton, DH
8. Felix Pie, CF
9. Michael Aubrey, 1B

Starter: RHP Chris Tillman (2-3, 4.50)

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (66-83)
Fourth place AL East, 28.5

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

Starter: LHP David Purcey (0-2, 6.32)

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

~JB

Today's lineups:

TAMPA BAY RAYS (76-73)
Third place AL East, 19.0 GB

1. Jason Bartlett, SS
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Ben Zobrist, RF
5. Pat Burrell, DH
6. Willy Aybar, 1B
7. Gregg Zaun, C
8. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
9. B.J. Upton, CF

Starter: LHP David Price (8-7, 4.60)

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

~JB

A few eyebrows were raised when Ricky Romero hit Rays left fielder Carl Crawford with a pitch in the first inning on Saturday night. Given the events of the past week, it seemed fair to wonder if there was any intent.

Consider: Crawford stole second base in the eighth inning on Friday while the Rays held a 9-4 lead in an eventual 11-4 blowout. After the game, Jays manager Cito Gaston was asked what he thought about the late sprint.

"Just let it go," Gaston said. "Hey, [Maddon] runs his team the way he wants to. I run mine the way I want to. It's as simple as that."

On top of that, the Blue Jays and Yankees were just involved in a bench-clearing episode on Tuesday in the Bronx. Three players were suspended for their parts in the fraces, which was ignited by a series of hit batsmen. Jays reliever Jesse Carlson's pitch that sailed behind Jorge Posada set off the fireworks.

Romero wanted to make it clear that there was absolutely NO intent behind his errant pitch to Crawford. He pointed out that the misplaced offering came after he issued a leadoff walk to open the game. Hitting the next batter -- in an inning during which the Rays went on to score four runs en route to a 4-0 win -- was not something he was trying to do.

"There's no reason why I would try to hit the second hitter of the game after walking the leadoff hitter," Romero said. "That's not my style. I don't try to do that. I wasn't trying to hit anyone. If he felt like that, there's nothing I can do. I wasn't trying to hit him. I had no idea about the whole stolen base thing."

Crawford said after the game that he did not believe it was intentional.

"I think it probably just got away from him," said Crawford, who was struck on the right elbow. "I don't think he tried to hit me on purpose. The only reason why I reacted like that is because it hurt. But I don't think he tried to throw at me."

Rays manager Joe Maddon said the reactions around the field seemed to indicate that there was no intent, either.

"I really thought, from the reaction of the pitcher, that it was like he did not want to do that," Maddon said. "I looked at some of the infielders and it was like they were kind of rolling their eyes like, 'Of all guys to hit in those circumstances...'

"It's one of those things where you have to ask a particular person. I'm not accusatory, so I'm not going to sit here and say he did that on purpose. The ball nicked him. I don't know. I really wasn't that upset about it."

Romero said he didn't realize anyone even thought it was on purpose until after the game, when someone told him the Tampa Bay broadcasters were discussing the situation and bringing up Crawford's stolen base. That didn't even occur to Romero.

"I was here last night, but I didn't really pay attention to that," he said. "I came in and someone said, 'Yeah, the announcers were all over you.' To me, I'm not trying to hit anyone, first of all. We'll just leave it at that. It was a sinker that just ran in. I was trying to go in and it just kind of ran a little too much in."

~JB

Where has Randy Ruiz gone?

For each of the past six games, Ruiz has been absent from the Blue Jays' lineup, leaving some to wonder if anything is wrong with the Bronx Bomber. Don't worry, there is nothing ailing Mr. Ruiz.

Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said the reason for Ruiz's sudden disappearance from the starting lineup is simple.

Adam Lind was hit on the foot by a pitch on Sept. 11 and, after taking a day off, returned as a designated hitter to ease his way back into the mix.

Lind had been playing the outfield for the most part when Ruiz was called up. but has been back as the DH for the past six games. This being the case, Ruiz has been relegated to the bench until Gaston feels comfortable sending Lind back to the outfield, which could be soon. Tonight? It's Johnny Mac in left.

Today's lineups:

TAMPA BAY RAYS (75-73)
Third place AL East, 19.0 GB

1. Jason Bartlett, SS
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Ben Zobrist, CF
5. Pat Burrell, DH
6. Willy Aybar, 1B
7. Gabe Kapler, RF
8. Dioner Navarro, C
9. Akinori Iwamura, 2B

Starter: RHP Matt Garza (7-10, 3.84)

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

~JB

Travis Snider has noted that he is still making some adjustments in the batter's box. Mechanical adjustments. Mental adjustments. The rookie is still going through a learning process.

On Friday at Tropicana Field, manager Cito Gaston shared some more specifics as to what exactly Snider is working on. Swing-wise, Snider is working on a better weight transfer. Approach-wise, the rook has shown more of a willingness to discuss situations with his coaches during games.

"He's still working," Gaston said. "There's still a lot of work to do with him. [Hitting coach Gene Tenace has] got him not so spread out. We're trying to get him a little bit more upright and trying to get him to start his weight on the back side, as opposed to starting on the front side and shifting back."

"It's still an ongoing project with him to get him started on time. He talks to us more on the bench now than he did before he [was sent to Triple-A in May]. He talks about situations more, which he was having a little trouble with that last time. But, now he will talk to you about it. He's trying to learn how to handle that."

Gaston said he is hoping Snider can learn how to take in-game suggestions and apply them to his following plate appearances, rather than feel overloaded with information when he walks to the plate. Gaston pointed to Adam Lind, who has shown an ability to take tips from his coaches during a game and make the proper adjustments quickly.

Since being recalled from the Minors last month, the 21-year-old Snider has struggled for the most part. Over his last three games, he does have five hits, two homers and a .385 average, but in the 27 games prior to that, Snider hit .195. On the current road trip, Snider has struck out 11 times in 22 at-bats.

UPDATES: Scott Downs (right hamstring) and Brian Tallet (right foot) are day-to-day after suffering injuries on Wednesday night in New York. Gaston wasn't ready to say Downs might be done for the year, and maybe that has something to do with the fact that Toronto has no lefties in the bullpen right now (Jesse Carlson's suspension lasts through Saturday). Gaston said Tallet is still sore, but he's trying to get healthy in time for a start on Tuesday. If he can't go, the Jays would like do the ol' bullpen-by-committee start. Remember, Marc Rzepczynski and Brett Cecil have been shut down and they were not be used. ... Dustin McGowan (right shoulder/left knee) stopped by the Blue Jays' clubhouse at the Trop on Friday and was all smiles as he walked through and said hello to his teammates. McGowan's status for next season is essentially unknown.

Today's lineups:

TAMPA BAY RAYS (74-73)
Third place AL East, 20.0 GB

1. Jason Bartlett, SS
2. Carl Crawford, LF
3. Evan Longoria, 3B
4. Ben Zobrist, DH
5. Willy Aybar, 1B
6. Gregg Zaun, C
7. Akinori Iwamura, 2B
8. Gabe Gross, RF
9. B.J. Upton, CF

Starter: RHP James Shields (9-11, 4.03)

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

~JB

Some suspensions and fines have been dished out for Tuesday night's rumble in the Bronx between the Fightin' Jays and Bombers.

Yankees catcher Jorge Posada and Jays reliever Jesse Carlson -- the two at the heart of the fracas -- were each dealt four-game suspensions and fined $3,000 by the league.

Carlson said that he told Blue Jays player rep Vernon Wells that he did not feel he deserved as much as Posada and a few minutes later, Wells called Carlson and said the suspension had been reduced to three games and the fine was also trimmed. Carlson will begin sitting out Wednesday.

Word is that Posada's suspension will also begin Wednesday and has also been cut down to three games -- not four. Fines were also handed to Yankees pitcher Edwar Ramirez -- maybe to replace Rod Barajas' mangled chest protector? -- and hitting coach Kevin Long.

New York's Shelley Duncan has also been suspended three games and fined. Blue Jays catcher Barajas also received a $1,000 fine, but he said he plans on appealing. Rod's fine was for "verbal abuse", but he said he was not given further explanation and he planned on appealing.

As for that one replay that appeared to show mild-mannered John McDonald taking a swing at Yanks skip Joe Girardi, they both insist it did not happen. Girardi called Johnny Mac a "peacemaker" and a "good man" and the pair met on the field before Wednesday's game to talk things over. McDonald was trying to pull players off the pile and the one camera angle made it look like he swung at the manager.

Today's lineups:

TORONTO BLUE JAYS (66-79)
Fourth place AL East, 26.5 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: LHP Brian Tallet (7-9, 5.26)

NEW YORK YANKEES (93-53)
First place AL East, -- GB

1. Derek Jeter, SS
2. Jerry Hairston Jr., LF
3. Mark Teixeira, 1B
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B
5. Hideki Matsui, DH
6. Nick Swisher, RF
7. Robinson Cano, 2B
8. Melky Cabrera, CF
9. Jose Molina, C

Starter: RHP Chad Gaudin (1-0, 3.42)

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)