Hyperbole can be a effective device when trying to describe an event. Over do it with hyperbolic descriptions, of any given event, however, and run the risk of looking as though you spin yard wide yarns. That being said, I’m not exaggerating or being hyperbolic when I say the Rays crushed, neigh… Demoralized the Toronto Blue Jays, by a score of 9-2, in the Opening Day contest at the Trop. The game had everything you could ever want: quality pitching, an electric offense, and a few flashes of leather.
Below are a few game peripherals and highlights from Opening Day. You can read a blow-by-blow account of the game at our Tumblr page, where I live blogged the game.
Peripherals and Highlights
- After two previous Opening Day starts, David Price can finally put a tally in the win column on the heels of a beautiful 7.1 IP/2 ER/6 H/1 BB/6 K/1 HR on 102 pitches (74 strikes) outing. Price seemed to get more efficient as the game progressed, using just six pitches in the sixth inning and seven in the seventh, holding the wolves at bay. Leading the way with the fastball, which he threw 58% of the time, and following with a decent curve and a very effective cutter, Price was able to induce seven ground-outs and five pop-outs — including a Josh Thole double play in the third inning. The Rays ace was able to locate his 91-95 MPH fastball on both sides of the plate with pinpoint accuracy, and the Jays hitters never seemed like they were able to get comfortable. Make no bones about it, with the exception of an eighth inning jam which culminated in a two-run blast, Price was very good — ultimately shutting down a Blue Jays threat in the third inning, and a runners at the corners threat with two outs in the fourth. Price ended the latter by striking out Brett Lawrie on an 84 MPH change-up, after a 10-pitch battle.
- After making his fair share of gaffes in center field last season, Desmond Jennings redeemed himself, making a beautiful Web Gem worthy catch in center, sprawling out to rob Jose Reyes of an extra base hit in the first inning. (Seen below)
- Tampa Bay scored in every inning but the fourth, sixth and seventh, knocking a very un-ace like RA Dickey out of the game after only five innings of work. And after putting together some pretty poor numbers against the Blue Jays knuckle-baller over the years (including a Wil Myers 0-for-7 streak with two strikeouts) the Rays were able to hit Dickey hard, tagging him for six runs on five hits and six walks. But Tampa Bay didn’t stop there. All of the starters (except Jose Molina) reached safely, with Myers, Evan Longoria, Matt Joyce, Desmond Jennings and Ben Zobrist combining for eight runs on nine hits — including three doubles — and six walks.
- James Loney, who’s no burner mind you, swiped second after reaching on a leadoff base hit in the seventh inning. Loney was subsequently thrown out at home when attempting to score on a Matt Joyce double.
- Rays left fielder David DeJesus left the game in the eighth inning after getting hit on the right foot by Jeremy Jeffress. After DeJesus took his base, he was lifted for pinch-runner Brandon Guyer who scored on a truly crazy play that included a pair of throwing errors, and what could be described as a poor man’s inside the park homer by Wil Myers. “It’s not broken,” DeJesus said, after the X-rays that were taken and came back negative. When asked if he would play Tuesday, DeJesus replied: “(I’ll) see how it feels, you know. Just go like that.” According to an afternoon update by Marc Topkin, DeJesus said his foot is sore and swollen a bit, and will test it to see if he can play Tuesday night. He does not think the DL is a possibility. His wife, Kim, tweeted after the game,
The New What Next
Alex Cobb will get his first start of this very young season against right-hander Drew Hutchinson. You can read about Tuesday’s matchup in our series preview, here.
Rays 4/1/14 Starting Lineup
Joyce LF
Myers RF
Zobrist 2B
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Jennings CF
Forsythe DH
Hanigan C
Escobar SS
Cobb RHP
Noteworthiness
- The Rays raised their 2013 Wildcard banner prior to the first pitch, and it went a little something like this:
[youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYQt8bxWzkg&feature=youtu.be”]
- We put together a sights and sounds of Opening Day photo/video piece which you can view here. Want a photo or video of yours to be included? Email it/them to belowaverageraysfansite@gmail.com, and we’ll credit you for your contribution.