Pre-game notes

*The New Jersey Air National Guard 108th refueling wing just did a flyover. Problem was, the timing was off by five minutes. Everyone had to stay on the field after introductions waiting for the C-130 to make its way to the field.

*At least the Thunder are getting this game in, cold though it is (38 degrees). Akron, Erie, New Hampshire, and Portland all postponed their openers tonight due to snow. I'm told Erie had the added problem of having their tarp freeze to the field. Not surprising that they messed that up, given that they didn't put the tarp before an overnight rain storm last August, resulting in a game against the Thunder being postponed despite conditions that were playable.

*Charlie Manning apparently is not coming back to the Thunder, at least not now. According to the Scranton Times-Tribune, the Yankees had recent free agent signee Erick Burke deactivated to make room for Ron Villone and kept Manning in Triple-A. So the Thunder still don't have a lefty in their pen.

*Big surprise to see Gabe Lopez not in the starting lineup. Lopez was penalized by the fact that he was in Triple-A camp until just before the end of spring training, while manager Tony Franklin got a much more extended look at Carlos Mendoza. Gabe seems to be taking it well, though.