Chris Archer was perfect in his two innings of work on Friday, while Mike Zunino and Yandy Díaz went yard. The Tampa Bay Rays ultimately fell to the Red Sox, 11-7, on the back of seven unanswered runs after the starters left the game.
Rich Hill got the start and went 2-2/3 innings, upping his pitch count to 58 (33 strikes, 57% strike rate). However, the left-hander had a difficult time getting ahead of batters early on — something that changed in the third inning when he threw strikes consistently. Hill’s fastball velocity also ticked up two miles per hour to 90.
After his outing, Hill said he still has a few things he’d like to work on ahead of the regular season.
I’d like to see 60 pitches through five instead of 2-2/3. It’s efficiency. So, strike one, strike two, and pounding the zone, and getting ahead. So I think that’s kind of a box that I would like to check, especially moving forward. We have two outings left for myself, and just focusing in on getting the innings up with the number of pitches down per inning and continue to keep that intensity high.”
— Rich Hill
Chris Archer followed Hill and tossed a pair of scoreless frames. Archer allowed no base runners and struck out two on 27 pitches in the fourth and fifth innings.
Prior to the start of the game, Rays skipper Kevin Cash mentioned that Archer would be used as a starter, for the most part, however, there will be times when he’ll be rolled out as a “bulk guy.” He, along with Ryan Yarbrough, Michael Wacha, and Hill is getting a taste of what that might be like in Spring Training.
I think predominantly I will be starting games. I think, from a workload standpoint and a strategic standpoint, there are going to be times where I might follow somebody. And look, not playing baseball for a long time, really, it humbled me. I’ve put my ego to the side and I’m more open-minded. It also helps that the guys that we’ll be bringing in are really, really talented.
— Chris Archer
Cash said it likely will require extra communication and preparation for Hill, Wacha, and Archer, who hasn’t pitched out of the ‘pen since 2012.
Just want to get, you know, a lot of those guys that haven’t done coming in from the bullpen in the past, at least just kind of check the box that they have done it. It might happen once, it might happen 20 times. We’re just not quite sure how it’s all gonna shake out during the course of the season, but if we have the capability to do it in spring, why not go ahead and do it? … They all seem to be on board with whatever is needed, whatever is asked, which is a good thing for us.
— Kevin Cash
The plan for Archer is to work three-plus innings his next outing and four-plus in the appearance after that.
I think the biggest thing I learned is I need to take a little bit more time getting loose. But that’s why we did it, to get this feedback, and I got good results and my body feels great. But I could have given myself a little more time to get loose down there and I will apply that whenever I need to.
— Chris Archer
Meanwhile, most of the Rays’ regulars looked great at the plate. Tampa Bay scored five runs in the first two innings against the hard-throwing former Ray Nathan Eovaldi, collecting four extra-base hits along the way. Zunino launched a homer to centerfield, while Díaz went deep to right. Before Yandy stepped into the box, Brandon Lowe laid down a beautiful bunt against the shift.
The Rays’ manager indicated that it wouldn’t be the last time out see that from them this season.
I think it’s great that he that he’s recognizing how teams are playing him, and if he can pull that third baseman back over a little bit more, lessen that shift — not just B. Lowe, it’ll be a benefit to all of our hitters whether it’s Austin, Ji-Man. They’re gonna bunt. I mean, we’ve kind of talked to them a lot about that and limiting that heavy, heavy shift.
— Kevin Cash
Willy Adames and Joey Wendle also hit back-to-back triples to begin the second inning, while Yoshi Tsutsugo picked up two hits on the day.
The New What Next
The Rays will play their first night game of the Spring this evening when they head to Ft. Myers to face the Twins. Michael Wacha will get the start while Nick Anderson, Diego Castillo, and Pete Fairbanks are also scheduled to pitch.
Rays 3/20/21 Starting Lineup
- Margot CF
- Arozarena RF
- Mejía C
- Meadows LF
- Brosseau 3B
- Franco SS
- Pinto DH
- Kelly 1B
- Mastrobuoni 2B
- Wacha RHP