Erasmo Ramirez worked two scoreless innings and Corey Dickerson hit a monster home run to highlight a 17-hit ambush of the Baltimore Orioles, as the Tampa Bay Rays picked up their first win of Spring Training, 10-3.
Ramirez got the start for Tampa Bay and tossed two efficient innings, throwing 17-of-23 pitches for strikes, and allowing an infield single while fanning three.
Erasmo entered the game with a strategy that he plans to continue throughout the course of the season, telling Rays Radio that his goal is to keep the ball down and execute his pitches:
Matt Andriese followed and allowed just a bunt single in two scoreless frames, striking out two batters batters. Ryan Webb followed and worked a 1-2-3 fifth inning.
The big story of the day was Dickerson’s massive two-run homer in the second inning, giving the Rays a 6-0 lead against Miguel Gonzalez. The Rays PR staff determined the ball had traveled 569 feet from home plate once it finally rolled to a stop.
I tried to be short to the ball, and it worked out, Dickerson told the media after the game.
Rays skipper Kevin Cash also spoke about the mammoth shot:
He shortened up a little bit on that pitch. I don’t think we’ll ever see the typical shorten-up swing, but if you look at the first two pitches he swung at, he about fell over. That was his shorten-up swing, I guess, and it went a long way.
Not only was Cash pleased with Dickerson, both Desmond Jennings (2-for-2, two run-scoring doubles) and Brandon Guyer (3-for-3, homer off Dylan Bundy) led the 17 hit attack:
The guys came out swinging, said Cash. They took a very aggressive approach, put themselves into some situations that have been some points of emphasis this spring — moving runners, getting that guy in. It seemed like we did a really nice job handling those situations. The starting group, I think you can make an argument that everybody swung the bat really well. There were a lot of positives.
All told, the Rays went 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position, in a contest that also included contributions from Brad Miller (2-for-3, RBI) and 1B Steve Pearce (1-for-3 with, RBI double).
The New What Next
Tampa Bay will play its first Spring road game on Friday in Ft Myers against the Boston Red Sox. Chris Archer will toe the rubber opposite of Joe Kelly. Also scheduled to pitch are Kyle McPherson, Jhan Marinez, Adam Reifer, Jacob Faria, Parker Markel and left-hander Adam Wilk.
Rays 3/4/16 Starting Lineup
Mahtook RF
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Dickerson LF
Morrison DH
Loney 1B
Beckham 2B
Motter SS
Conger C
Archer RHP
Noteworthiness
— Kevin Kiermaier and Evan Longoria are expected to go on the Rays first road trip of the Spring.
— Jennings will get the next two days off as the team eases him back into the fold after missing much of last season with knee problems.
He was the only guy to play back-to-back days, Cash said. It worked out great that he was able to get those quick at-bats, and he’ll have two days off to get his work in.
— After missing the first week of Spring Training due to an intercostal muscle strain, Steven Souza Jr. is scheduled to take batting practice in the cage on Friday.