Matt Moore got the start and allowed a first inning, one-run homer to Mookie Betts. Yet Moore settled in and retired the next six consecutive batters. Moore, who threw 17-of-23 pitches for strikes, entered the game a bit more amped up for his first start. He spoke about his abundance of energy after the game,
It was all right, said Moore. I think I was a little more amped up than I hope to be during the season. But that’s expected for the first one, a little extra excitement.
MattyMoe focused on throwing two pitches: his curveball (which he threw six) and his fastball (which he threw 17). In the end, the southpaw was happy with the way the ball came out of his hand, calling his outing “a good first step.”
Taylor Guerrieri followed Moore and relinquished a run in his second inning of work off a single to David Ortiz. Guerrieri spoke about the at-bat with Ortiz, saying,
It was pretty cool to say the least. To face a Future Hall of Famer is something that I’ll never forget.
Steve Geltz, Kyle McPherson and Adam Wilk threw scoreless innings after Guerrieri. Adam Reifer followed with a a pair of shutout innings, while Ryan Garton and Mark Sappington combined to finish the tenth.
Offensively speaking, Logan Forsythe put together a strong game for Tampa Bay, going 2-for-2 while scoring a run and drawing a walk. Kevin Kiermaier also came up big, going 1-for-3 with an RBI. Their first two runs came in the fourth on a Pablo Sandoval error and Kiermaier’s single.
The Rays scored the go-ahead run in the tenth inning when Nick Franklin walked, the went to third on a Kyle Roller single. Juniel Querecuto singled Franklin home on a shot off the faux Green Monster to give the Rays the lead they’d never give up.
The New What Next
Erasmo Ramirez will make his second start of the spring when the team travels to Lakeland to play the Tigers on Tuesday. Also slated to see action are Matt Andriese, Jacob Faria, Jaime Schultz and Jhan Marinez. We’ll post the starting lineup upon availability.
Rays 3/8/16 Starting Lineup
Mahtook CF
Beckham 3B
Jennings LF
Loney 1B
Conger C
Franklin 2B
Motter RF
Roller DH
Robertson SS
Ramirez RHP