Good afternoon, the Thunder topped the Sea Dogs last night, 9-1. D.J. Mitchell outpitched Casey Kelly, Reid Gorecki was the offense, and Brandon Laird had his second home run in as many nights. Mike Ashmore was there last night, as he will be today. Here's his game story.

Mike also wrote a sidebar about Cory Arbiso and Justin Snyder, and the struggles they've had after skipping High-A Tampa entirely. Here's that piece.

The Thunder lost yesterday, 3-2, to the Portland Sea Dogs. Late home runs from Ray Chang and Lars Anderson off of reliever Noel Castillo ultimately proved to be difference. Brandon Laird's solo home run in the bottom of the ninth gave Trenton a glimmer of hope, but Damon Sublett's groundout closed the book.

Mike Ashmore covered the game for The Trentonian (as he will tonight, tomorrow and Tuesday. He filed this game story and this sidebar.

As discussed in the sidebar, tonight's pitching matchup features Casey Kelly battling D.J. Mitchell -- a truly wonderful battle. It's supposed to be beautiful tonight, and they're giving away Joba Chamberlain bobbleheads. I see no reason not to go.

On the strength of Damon Sublett's longball, the Thunder topped the Portland Sea Dogs last night, 4-2, in 11 innings. Tomorrow they face top Red Sox prospect Casey Kelly. Here's a link to a story done by the Portland Press-Herald's Sea Dogs beat writer, Kevin Thomas.

Kelly, the son of former MLB infielder Pat Kelly, is concentrating on being a pitcher after spending last season working from the mound and as a shortstop. He's on a pitch count, and he will be when he comes to Trenton on April 22. That game will be covered by Mike Ashmore.

Also, here's a link to Baseball America's first Hot Sheet of the season. The list features former Eastern Leaguers Carlos Santana (Akron) and Brad Mills (New Hampshire), future Eastern Leaguers Travis D'Arnaud (New Hampshire) and Jacob Turner (Erie), and current Eastern Leaguer Luis Perez (New Hampshire).