A couple of familiar faces tormented the Tampa Bay Rays in their final home game of Spring Training on Thursday, as they fell to the Pittsburgh Pirates by a sore of 13-8.
Jake Odorizzi put together his toughest outing of the Spring, allowing eight runs in just over an inning of work. The first inning posed the biggest challenge for Odorizzi, who admittedly had “crappy stuff.” Odorizzi gave up three singles, a three-run homer to former Ray Matt Joyce, and a walk before getting the first out of the five run frame.
When all was said and done, Odorizzi threw 43 pitches (29 pitches) in that frame alone.
Then Francisco Cervelli led off the second inning with a long homer to left-field before Odorizzi plunked David Freese, and walked Mike Morse to end his abysmal stint on the mound.
The day was done for the Rays’ number three starter after he eight earned runs, on six hits, one hit by pitch, two walks, two strikeouts, two homers and 54 pitches (34 Strikes). Odorizzi told reporters he was fine health wise, although he was happy this outing occurred on March 31st rather than April 5th ― his first start of the regular season.
All of the relievers scheduled to throw Thursday ― Steve Geltz, Dana Eveland, Danny Farquhar, Ryan Webb, Xavier Cedeno, Erasmo Ramirez, and Alex Colome ― got their work in. That doesn’t necessarily mean they all fared well.
Of note, former Ray Sean Rodriguez blasted a grand slam off the left-field light pole, on a high fastball from Geltz, for the Pirates’ third homer of the afternoon.
Offensively speaking, Tampa Bay collected 12 hits, including a homer from the 25th-man Tim Beckham. The infielder drove home four of the Rays eight runs.
The New What Next
The Rays departed from Port Charlotte following the game, and will play a pair of split squad games in Lakeland and Orlando on Friday. LHP Matt Moore will toe the rubber opposite of the Tigers in Lakeland, while Adam Wilk will get the start against the Braves in Kissimmee. Just two Spring games left until Opening Day on Sunday!
Rays 4/1/16 Starting Lineup vs. the Tigers
Brandon Guyer CF
Logan Morrison 1B
Evan Longoria 3B
Steve Pearce 2B
Desmond Jennings LF
Kevin Kiermaier DH
Steven Souza Jr. RF
Hank Conger C
Tim Beckham SS
Matt Moore LHP
Rays 4/1/16 Starting Lineup vs. the Braves
Logan Forsythe 2B
Brad Miller SS
Corey Dickerson DH
Curt Casali C
Jaff Decker LF
Patrick Leonard 3B
Cameron Seitzer 1B
Dayron Varona RF
Johnny Field CF
Adam Wilk LHP
Noteworthiness
― No roster moves were announced after Thursday’s game, which means that four players ― OF Mikie Mahtook, and pitchers Dana Eveland, Danny Farquhar and Andrew Bellatti ― are still vying for two spots on the 25-man roster. The Rays are expected to make their final roster decision by Saturday.
― Contrary to what was written here and elsewhere, Rays LHP reliever Dana Eveland does not have Friday opt-out. The decision on Eveland’s future likely will not come until the weekend.
― Speaking of Saturday, come buy t-shirts and stickers from X-Rays Spex, chocolate from Pinellas Chocolate Compay, and rad childrens clothing (among other things) from All Sewn Up this Saturday, when the aforementioned three-headed beast takes over the St. Pete Indie Market at Green Bench Brewing Company. All of us will gladly accept donations of sudsy adult beverages too.
Our personal goal is to drink beer (surprise, surprise), sling “Rays Up” t-shirts and stickers, talk baseball, and listen to Van Halen. Join us, won’t you?
