Game 1- Indians Vs. Pawsox, April 3, 2008 Pre-Game Notes

It's the 2008 season opener for the PawSox as they host the Indianapolis Indians, the Triple A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Here are some of today's game notes from the PawSox.

Tonight's Starters: Indianapolis- RHP Bryan Bullington (NR). Pawtucket- RHP Bartolo Colon (NR). In 2007 Bullington made 26 starts for the Indians and ended the season with an 11-9 record and a 4.00 ERA. Colon makes his debut for the PawSox tonight. He has a 146-95 Major League career record with a 4.10 career ERA over 309 games. He spent parts of 11 years with the Indians, Expos, White Sox and Angels. He was the AL Cy Young award winner while with Anaheim in 2005. In his minor league career Colon is 39-12 in 84 games with an ERA of 2.48.

Opening Day History: Even though the PawSox have finished in the middle of the pack the last two seasons, they are working on an opening day winning streak. having won their last two season openers. A win tonight will give them their first three game season-opening winning streak in team history. The PawSox are 12-19 in openers since 1977 and are 14-17 in home openers during that same span.

Experience Counts: For the first time in team history, all 24 PawSox players enter the year with Triple A experience. Nine PawSox were on the Opening Day Roster a year ago- LHP Abe Alvarez, RHP Davern Hansack, RHP Craig Hansen, RHP Edgar Martinez, RHP David Pauley, C George Kottaras, 1B Brandon Moss, 3B Chad Spann, and OF Jeff Bailey. RHP Lincoln Holdzkom, RHP Charlie Zink, C Dusty Brown, SS Jed Lowrie, OF Cris Carter, and OF Bobby Kielty all spent part of 2007 with Pawtucket and are back to start 2008. 14 of the 2008 PawSox have Major League experience.

The Boss and His Staff: Ron Johnson begins his fourth season as PawSox skipper. He is joined by a new staff consisting of Pitching Coach Rich Sauveur and hitting coach Russ Morman.

Against the Indians: The PawSox look to improve their play against the Indians. They were 2-6 a year ago.

Seems Like It's Been Here Forever: 2008 marks the tenth season that the team has played in the renovated McCoy Stadium. New this season at the ballpark; an inflatable speed pitch display that will allow kids to test their pitch speed before games, flat screen televisions in the private suites and the press box, and new murals depicting the PawSox careers of Dustin Pedroia, Jon Lester, Cla Meredith and Manny Delcarmen.

The PawSox are not Alone: Thursday is also the season opener for the Red Sox other minor league affiliates in Portland, Lancaster, and Greenville.