PawSox/Chiefs Pre-Game Notes- August 20, 2011
BOSTON- Welcome to Fenway Park as the PawSox get set to play the back end of the annual “Futures of Fenway” double header. It’s also the opener of a four game series with the Syracuse Chiefs. The PawSox enter the game one game ahead of Lehigh Valley for first place in the I.L. North Division.
The PawSox are 2-1 in three appearances as part of the “Futures at Fenway” series. In 2006 they defeated the Rochester Red Wings 5-4. In 2008 the PawSox beat the Charlotte Knights 5-2. In their last appearance the PawSox fell to the Norfolk Tides in 2009 by a score of 7-3.
Here are the line-ups:
Syracuse Chiefs (56-67, 4th Place IL North Division)
Steve Lombardozzi 2B
Roger Bernadina LF
Chris Merrero 1B
Jesus Valdez RF
Jhonatan Solano C
Matt Antonelli 3B
Seth Bynum SS
Jeff Frazier DH
Corey Brown CF
Brad Meyers (4-4, 3.79 ERA) P
PAWTUCKET RED SOX (72-54, 1st Place IL North Division)
Che-Hsuan Lin RF
Ryan Kalish CF
Daniel Nava DH
Lars Anderson 1B
Will Middlebrooks 3B
Hector Luna 2B
Brett Carroll LF
Luis Exposito C
Jose Iglesias SS
Kyle Weiland (8-8, 3.40 ERA) P
Although it’s a thrill for both teams to get a taste of the majors by playing at Fenway, it’s not always a good thing in terms of preparing for a game. Both teams are not allowed to use the Fenway clubhouses and will not be able to take part in the normal pre-game routine of batting practice on the field.
“Your routine kind of gets messed up on days like this.” said PawSox Manager Arnie Beyeler, “The clubhouse situation, waiting for another game to get over. But once the guys get playing, getting an inning our two into the game, it’s baseball.”
Weiland is no stranger to Fenway, starting for Boston July 10th against the Orioles. He did not earn a no decision in that game, going four innings and giving up six runs. He walked two and struck out six.
“He’s familiar with the surroundings here.” said Beyeler. ”He’s also pitched during one of the Futures games before. He’s a good guy to have out there.”
Middlebooks will make his first start in the field for the PawSox at third base. Middlebooks was called up from Portland by Pawtucket last night and was 0 for 4 as the DH.
Luna is the hottest PawSox batter at the moment, hitting safely in 11 of his last 12 games with an average of .465.
We will be providing updates from Fenway via Twitter. Come back here for a complete wrap after the game.

