Pre-game notes for tonight's double dip

Getting here early to Veterans Field is always a treat. 

The stadium is quiet but it's peaceful and players and management officials are always willing to talk more openly so early in the afternoon.

I managed to get here about two hours ago for a feature I'm doing on right-hander Andy Schon. Great guy, and even better interview. I'm looking forward to putting it all together.

Alright, enough with the blabber and on to the real stuff.

Dan Sausville (1-1, 5.85 ERA) will be starting the first game of tonight's doubleheader. He's made 14 appearances this season, with only one start.

Ivan Reyes (.246, 23 RBIs, six home runs) is out indefinitely with a hand injury. He will not be making the team's six-game road trip starting Monday and has been placed on the inactive list.

His absence means Santiago Guerrero -- normally an outfielder -- will be making his first start at first base. 

Trust me when I say team officials are highly concerned about that.

But in batting practice and while taking grounders, Guerrero fielded well at the position and seemed comfortable. Hitting Coach John Hinkle commented that it looks like Guerrero has played the infield before.

So maybe it's not as bad as people think.

Ben Tinius still has an ailing foot but looks like he's gonna give it a go. The team needs him.

Edgard Clemente is out for today's game. Arnoldo Ponce is likely out as well because he cannot run hard at all. 

Sean Donlin (1-0, 2.57 ERA) will start the second game of the doubleheader. To make room for him, Sausville will go on the inactive list following his start.

Reportedly, Amarillo got in town at 11 p.m. on Friday night after leaving at 11 p.m. on Thursday night.

It's obviously been a rough go for them and I'm not too sure how competitive they can manage to be tonight.

The Broncos, in spite of being injured, have all the opportunity in the world to steal two games tonight.

They currently sit 4 1/2 games out of first place and two games out of second.

Alexandria is a 1/2 game ahead of Laredo for third place after winning last night's contest against Edinburg, 7-5, in 10 innings.

The standings entering today's action are as follows:

AMARILLO 22-12

SAN ANGELO 21-16

ALEXANDRIA 19-17

LAREDO 18-17

HARLINGEN 14-23

EDINBURG 14-23