Coghlan getting familiar playing Green Monster

BOSTON -- Chris Coghlan made sure he got comfortable with the Green Monster at Fenway Park.

The Cubs' outfielder played his fifth career game at Fenway on Tuesday, and second straight in left field, right in front of the formidable 37-foot high left-field wall.

"People have different tactics, whether to play shallow or to play right against the wall," Coghlan said. "I like to play a little more shallow, because pretty much everything over your head will be a double or homer. That's basically it and you just have to be prepared for any angle off the wall."

Coghlan made sure to spend as much time in front of the wall in batting practice as possible. On Monday, Coghlan wasn't tested at all as pitcher Jake Arrieta combined with two others to hold the Red Sox to two hits in a 2-0 Chicago victory.

"You have to get used to being closer to the shortstop than you normally are," Coghlan said of Fenway. "Once you're OK with that, then you realize you can only run back 10, 15 yards, and outside of that, it's off the wall."

Coghlan said dealing with left field in Fenway is similar to left field at Minute Maid Park in Houston.

"Anything high off the wall, you just play off the wall," he said. "The only time it really gets difficult is if it hits where the numbers are lower on the wall, and the ball can cut and go anywhere. There's some areas where the ball will kick right or left. You do your homework before, you should be all right."