A visit from 'Oil Can' Boyd and Fourth of July fireworks highlight WooSox return to Polar Park

WORCESTER — Summer is in full swing.

And so, too, are the Worcester Red Sox .

After playing three games in New York this week, the Boston Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate return to Polar Park Thursday to continue a six-game home and home series with the Syracuse Mets.

Worcester currently finds itself in the middle of a unique schedule over the next two weeks. The WooSox and Mets face each other through Saturday and then — following rare back-to-back off days Sunday and Monday — the WooSox stay at home and play a six-game series with the Rochester Red Wings from Tuesday until July 14.

Coming into this homestand, the Worcester Red Sox have been clicking on all cylinders, going 5-3 in their first eight games of the second half of the International League season (the first half ended on June 24).

Nick Yorke has been swinging the hot bat for Worcester ever since his promotion from Portland last month. The 22-year-old prospect is hitting .337 with 4 home runs and 15 RBIs in 23 games with the WooSox.

“I’ve been very pleased with the quality of his at-bats since he’s been here,” WooSox manager Chad Tracy said last homestand.

Just like Yorke, Chase Meidroth is producing at the plate for Worcester, slashing .309 with 3 HRs and 25 RBIs in 71 games. The 22-year-old prospect was in the middle of 31-game on-base streak before this publication put the proverbial hex on him late last month.

“He’s a game-changer on offense for us,” Tracy said

Beyond the improving brand of baseball on the field, the WooSox plan to honor the life and legacy of their late chairman and principal owner Larry Lucchino, who died in April, with a new “LL” patch on their white Worcester jersey sleeve and their red WooSox jersey sleeve for the remainder of the season.

The players have worn white “LL” letters on their home red Worcester jerseys since the day Lucchino passed away but, beginning on Friday, they’ll have a few more commemorative patches to add to the wardrobe.

The “home” white and “home” red Worcester jerseys with the commemorative “LL” patch will be auctioned off to fans at the end of the season, with proceeds benefitting the WooSox Foundation and the Jimmy Fund.

As for off the field, WooSox fans can expect some new second-half initiatives at Polar Park. Some additions include Sherwood’s Diner offering new ice cream options (including non-dairy), Summit Street Garden being the new home of the Water Street Deli and the concourse adding ceiling fans for cooler air.

Here are the major promotional highlights for the upcoming WooSox homestand:

Thursday (6:45 p.m.)

UniBank Fourth of July Patriotic Fireworks; Throwback Thursday featuring Red Sox Hall of Famer Dennis “Oil Can” Boyd who will greet fans for photos and autographs in Sherwood’s Diner from innings three through six.

Friday (6:45 p.m.)

UniBank Fireworks set to the music of Pop Patriotic Hits.

Saturday (4:05 p.m.)

Free Youth Clinic from 10 to 11 a.m. on the field at Polar Park featuring WooSox players and coaches; Leominster, Fitchburg, Gardner Town Takeover; Sunset Catch on the field postgame.

—Contact Tommy Cassell at tcassell@telegram.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @tommycassell44.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: A visit from 'Oil Can' Boyd and Fourth of July fireworks highlight WooSox return to Polar Park