Game 20- Chiefs vs. PawSox, April 23, 2008

The PawSox were off yesterday so it's back to work tonight (6:15pm) as they open up a three game set with the Syracuse Chiefs at McCoy. It will be a pair of left handers going as the Chiefs send out David Purcey (2-0, 1.89) against Michael Tejera (0-2, 5.74) for the PawSox.

Some notes of note...

Syracuse Chiefs (13-7)

The Chiefs are on an 8-game winning streak entering tonight's game. They are coming off a pair of 4-game sweeps over Buffalo and Lehigh Valley. They currently share the top spot in the IL North with the Scranton Wilkes/Barre Yankees.

Purcey returns to the Chiefs after making his Major League debut last week for Toronto. He earned a no-decision against the Tigers, going 4 1/3 innings, giving up one run on two hits. He walked seven and struck out three. His last work for the Chiefs was ten days ago, a win over the Rochester Red Wings.

The Chiefs are coming off their most prolific offensive game of the young season. They set season highs in runs (13), hits (14) and singles (13) in their 13-6 win over the Iron Pigs.

OF Adam Lind is the Chiefs' leading hitter, entering the game batting .379 (4th in the IL) and tied with the PawSox George Kottaras for the league lead in RBI's (160

The Chiefs have had success early in games. nearly half of their runs this season have come in the first three innings of ball games.

Pawtucket Red Sox (11-8)

The big news for Pawtucket is that RP Craig Hansen has been called up to Boston to fill the roster spot left vacant by the departure of David Pauley. Hansen has been flawless so far this season, pitching 12 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. Pauley was optioned back to Pawtucket following last night's fill-in start for the ailing Josh Beckett.

Tejera is coming off a lost his last time out against Indianapolis. He went 5 2/3 innings, giving up five runs on six hits. Two of those hits were homers.

Jonathan Van Every continues to be consistent at the plate. His batting average is up to .333 (tied for 8th in the IL) after his two hit performance Monday afternoon against Buffalo.

Keith Ginter has a five game hitting streak working after going 3 for 4 on Monday.

I'm not at the game tonight. I'm sure there will be more roster moves before game time. When I know...you'll know. It should be a beautiful night for baseball. Enjoy.