The Tampa Bay Rays routed the Philadelphia Phillies by a score of 6-3 Monday, despite a messy 26 pitch (15 strikes) first inning by Matt Moore. The Rays southpaw got out of a bases loaded jam unscathed, ultimately posting a 1.2 IP/2 H/0 R/1 BB/2 K line on 37 pitches (23 strikes) — averaging 91-92 MPH on the Port Charlotte Sports Complex radar gun. The Rays were scoreless until the seventh inning, when they broke the game open with a five run inning against RHP Michael Stutes. Jeremy Moore added an insurance run in the eighth with a 2-1 solo shot to left-center field. A few game highlights and low-lights are below.
Highlights
- Matt Moore working through a messy 26-pitch first inning, including a scary comebacker on his glove side.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/6tRLeNeqjo4″]
- Despite going 0-2 on the day, Ben Zobrist finally made his Grapefruit League debut, after sitting out of the previous three games with complications extending from a sore back. Zobrist played a role in the above mentioned comebacker, of which Marc Topkin noted, a “liner up middle sends Moore diving out of (the) way, Zobrist made what seemed (to be) a great play but (the) runner was called safe.” Zobrist said everything felt “great” in his first game back. He will play again Wednesday.
Low-Lights
- Heath Bell put together another questionable outing, slashing 1 IP/3 H/1 R/1 ER/1 K on seven pitches (seven strikes).
The New What Next
Chris Archer will make his first start of the spring, when the Rays travel to Fort Myers to meet their AL East rivals, the Boston Red Sox. Also expected to see action are right-handers Mark Lowe, Nathan Karns and Brad Boxberger, along with left-handers Jake McGee, Enny Romero, and Mike Montgomery.
Rays 3/4/14 Starting Lineup
DeJesus LF
Escobar SS
Loney 1B
Myers DH
Joyce RF
Forsythe 3B
Rodriguez 2B
Molina C
Kiermaier CF
Archer RHP
Noteworthiness
- If you’re like me, you probably like to take a look at the various projection sites to get a feel for what we may see out of the Rays this season. However, it does get a bit tenuous at times with all the switching between sites. Ian Malinowski of DRaysBay did us a big; he made a handy comparison of stat projections for every Rays player, based on three major projection sites — Steamer, ZiPS, and Oliver. Furthermore, he collected the Rays’ major-league salary commitments both for 2014 and the future, and rglass44 has presented the major and minor league depth charts in terms of predicted lineups through 2020.
- It bears mentioning one more time, ahead of tomorrow’s shirt order deadline; As of March 3rd, X-Rays Spex have six Raymones shirts left in sizes small and medium — they’re available for $10.00 per shirt. We’ll be placing another order for shirts on March 4th. Thank you to all of you who purchased a shirt — we REALLY appreciate it! If you did not purchase one, and you would like to purchase a size other than small, medium, large or extra large, please get in touch with us by Tuesday, at: belowaverageraysfansite@gmail.com
- Don’t forget to check out our photo set from Sunday’s game against the Twins. Mosey on over to the X-Rays Spex Flickr page, and view away!