Matt Moore became the third consecutive Tampa Bay Rays hurler to pitch into the fourth inning on Saturday. His excellent outing, paired with Johnny Field’s two-run double, helped the Rays edge out the New York Yankees by a 2-1 score at Charlotte Sports Park.
Coming off an outing on March 8 in which he allowed just one run on one hit, Moore took the mound once again on Saturday afternoon with the intent to compete — and compete he did. The southpaw allowed two hits to the first three batters, then retired the next nine hitters, ultimately not allowing a ball to leave the infield. In the 49 pitch (32 strikes; nine first pitch strikes) stint, Moore fanned three.
Another encouraging sign, Moore hit the 95-96 mph plateau multiple times over the course of his start — something that bodes well for a hurler who is aiming for his first healthy season since undergoing Tommy John surgery in April, 2014
@3dorksatthebar did not count but enough to be encouraged
— Neil Solondz (@neilsolondz) March 12, 2016
Moore was pleased by his start, saying,
I just filled up the zone pretty well. And that kind of gets back to the relationship (catcher) Curt Casali and I have, as far as the visual back there and him believing in the pitches he’s calling and pumping me up. So it was a good day.
To be fair, Matty Moe was aided by some slick fielding work, especially in the first inning when Tim Beckham started a beautiful double play. Still, his breaking stuff looked filthy — the three strikeouts were of the whiffy variety, and all on breaking pitches (see the video below).
Jhan Marinez, Ryan Webb, and Dana Eveland held the Yankees hitless in relief of Moore, yet Brad Boxberger entered the game in the seventh and allowed New York’s only run.
Boxberger quickly got the first out of the inning, but then a hit batter, which preceded a stolen base, and a pair of groundouts led to the Yankees’ sole tally. Xavier Cedeno collected a scoreless eighth, that was aided by an impressive double play started by Richie Shaffer at first. Alex Colome also put up a zero in the ninth, preserving the Rays win.
Offensively, Tampa Bay got its two runs in the fifth inning. Curt Casali and Rene Rivera collected a pair of singles, and Corey Dickerson was hit by a pitch. With two on and two out, Johnny Field found the gap in left-center off James Pazos, resulting in both runs.
Dickerson was pulled from the game with a bruised left forearm after the HBP. Kevin Cash said no X-rays were taken and that Dickerson should DH Sunday.
The New What Next
Sunday is a split-squad day for Tampa Bay, with a home game against the Red Sox and a road matchup with the Blue Jays. Erasmo Ramirez will start opposite Rick Porcello and the Red Sox, with Danny Farquhar, Brad Boxberger, Enny Romero and Andrew Bellatti also slated to see action. Taylor Guerrieri will get the start against Toronto.
Matt Andriese was expected to start on Sunday against the Blue Jays, however, he has left abdominal tightness and will instead throw a bullpen session before returning to game action.
We’ll post both starting lineups upon availability.
Rays 3/13/16 Starting Lineup vs. Boston
Forsythe 2B
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Dickerson DH
Morrison 1B
Souza RF
Beckham SS
Conger C
Decker LF
Ramirez RHP
Rays 3/13/16 Starting Lineup vs. Toronto
Guyer RF
Mahtook CF
Loney DH
Shaffer 3B
Rivera C
Franklin 2B
Motter SS
Roller 1B
Field LF
Guerrieri RHP
Noteworthiness
— Manager Kevin Cash said with 64 players in camp, roster reductions will likely take place near upcoming the off-day.
— As it relates to RHP David Carpenter, it is assumed that he no longer fit on the Braves roster after a number of acquisitions, and they cut him loose early so he could get new gig. Cash noted that Carpenter could be seen in a game as early as Tuesday.