LYNX: J.J.'S CASE OF THE MONDAYS

Lynx catcher Jason Jaramillo had one of those outings that occasionally befalls the men who don the tools of ignorance in tonight's 4-3 loss (boxscore, play-by-play) to Columbus. J.J.'s night included a wild throw on a pickoff attempt in the first inning to bring in the first run. Columbus got three in their first at-bat only one hit, a bunt single no less. As a topper, Jaramilo struck out on a 3-2 pitch vs. Clippers closer Chris Booker for the penultimate out of the game, right after Brennan King and Gary Burnham hit back-to-back home runs to pull the Lynx within a run in the ninth inning.

In between, Burnham and Jaramillo managed to get tagged out stealing on the same play in the second inning. Sometimes, you've just got to be at the ballpark to appreciate a play.

On the plus side, the Lynx (31-42) made it interesting with that three-run in the ninth and right-hander Bubba Nelson (2-3, 4.75) settled in after that messy first inning, not allowing another run until he was removed after six. The one-time Blue Jay Chris Michalak (3-2, 2.45) can still pitch at this level: Seven shutout innings with only two runners getting past first base.

Veteran lefty reliever J.C. Romero, who pitched in the American League playoffs with Minnesota from 2002 through '04, has joined the Lynx for what one would anticipate is a short conditioning stint before the Phillies summon him to Philly. It's his third stint with Lynx skipper John Russell. They were both at Double-A New Britain in 1998-99, and worked together again in Triple-A in 2001 with the old Edmonton Trappers.

The Phillies signed Romero, who averaged about 70 appearances per season from 2002-06, last Friday, two weeks after he was designated for assignment by the Red Sox. Clay Condrey's been summoned back to the majors.