Sox Go With Kyle Weiland As Sunday Starter
BOSTON (CBS) - The Boston Red Sox have named 24-year-old Kyle Weiland their starter for Sunday's "first-half" finale against the Baltimore Orioles.
The right-hander has been impressive in Triple-A this season, going 8-6 with a 3.00 ERA. In 10 starts, he has posted a 6-2 record with a 2.33 ERA. In his last three turns on the hill, Weiland has gone 19.2 innings allowing just four earned runs.
"He's throwing the ball really well," manager Terry Francona said of the 2008 third round pick. "He's missing a lot of bats. (He) comes up with a cutter along with his breaking ball and fastball."
Weiland, the all-time leader at Notre Dame with 25 saves, has struck out 99 batters over 93 innings. Aside from his success in Pawtucket, Sunday was Weiland's next scheduled start.
"It's his day; he's lined up for it," said Francona, also excited to see what the young talent can do in the Majors. "As much as things have gone wrong with health, this is the flip side where it's really exciting. I'm looking forward to it."
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"He came to camp this spring, which is good. Now that it's his time to pitch he won't be introducing himself to everyone. I'm sure he'll have butterflies and be nervous, but our guys know him; they've caught him," Francona added.
Some thought that Alfredo Aceves, who has started four games this season, would take the injured Jon Lester's turn on Sunday. Aceves pitched Thursday night giving Boston two scoreless innings of relief, lowering his ERA to 3.60 on the season.
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Francona said Aceves, who is 3-1 on the season, is too valuable out of the bullpen to get the start. At least for now.
"He gives us such a luxury of pitching short, pitching long. He might start again," said Tito. "This kids lined up, and he's been pretty hot. I'd like to send him out there and see how he does."
