Rays Handcuff Red Sox, 8-0

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James Loney touches home after hitting his first home run of the spring.

If you’re like me, Tuesday’s game against those dreaded Massholes was one you wish you could’ve experienced in person, not vicariously through tweets. Not only did the Rays handcuff the Sox by a score of 8-0, but Chris Archer was superb in his two innings of work — allowing only one hit — and Jośe Molina performed a feat the majority of us had to experience through someone else’s lenses. Granted we’ve been privy to his fleet footed base running in the past, J-Mo outdid himself Tuesday — he scored all the way from first on a David DeJesus triple to the right-center gap. Let that sink in for a moment. If seeing is believing, check out DRaysBay‘s video below.

[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/M4hbGbtZYLI”]

Chris Archer ended the day with an impressive 2 IP/1 H/0 R/1 K line on 21 pitches (15 for strikes). Archer, by all accounts, has worked on refining his four-seam circle changeup grip, noting he doesn’t mind if there’s only a six or seven mph difference between it and his fastball. Archer threw the pitch three or four times Tuesday, and he was thrilled with the way it worked.

“I think it’s just an added weapon to my arsenal,” said Archer, who also throws an effective slider. “It will be something that they’ll have to respect and it will make my other pitches better.”

[youtube_sc url=” http://youtu.be/cidTlS233go”]

Not to be outdone, Jake McGee and and Mike Montgomery combined for three innings of two-hit ball. Per Marc Topkin, McGee threw four curveballs — including one David Ortiz swung through. Granted it’s only Spring Training, and these games are ultimately meaningless, that the Rays’ pitchers were able to hold Boston’s big boppers to 3-12 on the day is pretty impressive.

On the other side of the coin, the Rays’ power-stroke came alive on this fateful day. David DeJesus, Jose Molina and Hak-Ju Lee hit doubles, (DeJesus also hit an RBI triple) and James Loney and Sean Rodriguez mashed a pair of homers.

After a disappointing ALDS against Boston in the postseason, I’ll gladly take an 8-0 shellacking of the world champs — regardless if the game was ultimately meaningless.

The New What Next

Cesar Ramos, who was recently elevated into the battle for the fifth-starter’s slot, will make his first start of the spring Wednesday against the Yankees. Fellow candidates Erik Bedard and Jake Odorizzi are also expected to pitch against the Evil Empire.

Rays 3/5/13 Starting Lineup

Zobrist 2B
Jennings CF
Longoria 3B
Joyce DH
Hanigan C
Belnome 1B
Nix SS
Guyer LF
Mahtook RF
Ramos P

Noteworthiness

  • Maddon said Hickey stepped up as batboy Wednesday, then joked the Red Sox, “can afford a bat boy or two.”
  • “Many think the triple is the most exciting play in baseball. It is actually J-Molina scoring from first on a ball in the gap. We saw it today.” — Joe Maddon

Moore Throws 1-2/3 Innings of Scoreless Ball, as the Rays Route the Phillies, 6-3

Ben Zobrist takes the field for the first time this spring Monday, in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Instagram photo courtesy of Will Vragic/Times)
Ben Zobrist takes the field for the first time this spring Monday, in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Instagram photo courtesy of Will Vragic/Times)

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

Rays Win Their First of the Spring, 6-3

Cole Figueroa and Yunel Escobar man the middle infield March 2nd, 2014 in Port Charlotte, FL.
Cole Figueroa and Yunel Escobar man the middle infield March 2nd, 2014 in Port Charlotte, FL.

The Tampa Bay Rays won their first game of the Grapefruit League season Sunday, taking the first game of the 2014 Knutson Classic by a score of 6-3, thanks in part to a pair of blasts off the bats of Evan Longoria (his first of the spring) and Jerry Sands. I live tweeted the game, so I won’t bore you with the details. You can read a blow-by-blow account of the game at our Tumblr page.

Click the screenshot to be redirected to our Tumblr page.
Click the screenshot to be redirected to our Tumblr page.

Below are some highlights of the game, along with a few post-game interviews and a link to our Flickr photo set from the game.

Highlights and Post Game Interviews

  • Alex Cobb looked great, posting a 1.2 IP/2 H/0 R/0 BB/3 K line, facing seven batters overall. On his outing, Cobb had this to say:

[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/OcBdjF6wdEQ”]

  • Juan Sandoval, Grant Balfour and Joel Peralta followed Cobb, combining to put together 2.1 innings of 0 H/0 BB/2 K work. Balfour noted, in his post-game interview:

[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/RQA7Ofzgdzg”]

  • Desmond Jennings (1-3, R), David DeJesus (2-3, R), Evan Longoria (1-3, R, 2 RBI, HR), Jerry Sands (1-2, R, RBI, HR), and Yunel Escobar (2-2, 2B) each had a good day at the plate. The folks at DRaysBay put together a video highlight reel, of some of today’s biggest moments:

[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/pflz_tHEZig”]

Photos Galore

I snapped a good number pictures Sunday — you can see a few below. Want to see our entire photo set? Mosey on over to the X-Rays Spex Flickr page, and view away!

A pair of lefties, David Price and Matt Moore, signing autographs.
A pair of lefties, David Price and Matt Moore, signing autographs.
David Price making his way down the autograph line.
David Price making his way down the autograph line.
Rays RH set-up guy, Joel Peralta, warming in the 'pen.
Rays RH set-up guy, Joel Peralta, warming in the ‘pen.
Cesar Ramos on the practice fields of Charlotte Sports Park.
Cesar Ramos on the practice fields of Charlotte Sports Park.

The New What Next

Matt Moore will make his first start of the spring Monday when the Rays play host to the Phillies. Also scheduled to work are right-handers Heath Bell, Josh Lueke, Kirby Yates, Victor Mateo, Merrill Kelly and Brandon Gomes.

Rays 3/3/14 Starting Lineup

Zobrist 2B
Jennings CF
Longoria 3B
Joyce LF
Myers RF
Belnome DH
Hanigan C
Forsythe 1B
Nix SS
Moore LHP

Noteworthiness

  • According to Marc Topkin of the Times, “After agreeing to terms with their other 20 pre-arbitration eligible players, the Rays renewed the contract of AL Rookie of the Year OF Wil Myers. The renewal just means his salary is set by the team, likely in the range of $500,000 (the new MLB minimum) and $520,000. The 20 agreeing to terms were: RHP Chris Archer, INF Tim Beckham, LHP Jeff Beliveau, INF Vince Belnome, RHP Brad Boxberger, RHP Alex Cobb, RHP Alex Colome, INF Logan Forsythe, RHP Brandon Gomes, OF Brandon Guyer, OF Desmond Jennings, RHP Nathan Karns, OF Kevin Kiermaier, INF Hak-Ju Lee, RHP Josh Lueke, LHP Mike Montgomery, RHP Jake Odorizzi, LHP C.J. Riefenhauser, RHP Enny Romero and RHP Kirby Yates.”
  • Second baseman Ben Zobrist has improved, and will make his first Grapefruit League appearance today, leading off playing and playing second base. He’s scheduled to play the home games this week — saving the wear and tear of travel on his back.
  • If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times… As of March 2nd, 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

 

 

 

Rays Tie Bucs 2-2, “Raymones” Shirts, etc

The man, myth, and legend: Joe Maddon. (Photo courtesy of Robb Brown)
The man, myth, and legend: Joe Maddon. (Photo courtesy of Robb Brown)

Rays ace David Price looked – and felt – good during his spring debut Saturday against the Pirates, in the Rays 2-2 extra innings tie in Bradenton. Price was charged with one run on one hit over 1-2/3 innings, in a 33-pitch appearance during the contest. “He looked really good,” Manager Joe Maddon said.

Tampa Bay was down 2-1 until late in the game when INF Cameron Seitzer — in his first Grapefruit League game — hit a solo shot to lead off the eighth, tying the game.

Jake McGee and Alex Colome were impressive in their first outings of the spring. McGee breezed through a 13-pitch inning, mixing in three curveballs for good measure — a pitch that’s developing nicely. Colome pitched pitched a scoreless sixth inning, getting out of a jam after Christian misplayed a fly ball into a triple.

On his outing, David Price had this to say:

[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/IYhu5ed6-KA”]

Alex Cobb will make his first appearance of the spring in a start against the Twins Sunday. Also scheduled to see action are right-handers Grant Balfour — in his first return appearance with the Rays — Joel Peralta, Steve Geltz, Sam Runion, and Santiago Garrido along with left-handers Adam Liberatoreand Braulio Lara.

Rays 3/2/14 Starting Lineup

Jennings CF
DeJesus LF
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Escobar SS
Moore DH
Molina C
Guyer RF
Figueroa 2B
Cobb RHP

On “Raymones” Shirts

As of March 1st, 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.

Rays Drop Grapefruit League Opener, 4-2

Erik Bedard pitches in the first inning of the Rays opening game of the Grapefruit League season
Erik Bedard pitches in the first inning of the Rays Grapefruit League season opener, February 28th.

If anything should be said following the Grapefruit League season opener, it’s that the box score after nine hard innings is, ultimately, irrelevant — at least you hope so if you’re Erik Bedard. The Rays dropped their first game of the spring to their AL East foes by a score of 4-2. The veteran LHP didn’t fare well in one inning of work Friday, relinquishing three runs on three hits — including a two-out, two RBI base hit off the bat of Al Gonzalez. All is not lost however, the Rays ‘pen blanked the O’s from the third inning on, while Yunel Escobar put together a solid day at the plate. A few bulleted highlights and low-lights are below.

Rays box-score and offensive line.
Rays box-score and offensive line score (primarily the starting nine).
Rays pitching line.
Rays pitching line score.

Highlights

  • Yunel Escobar went 2-for-2 with a double.
  • Justin Christian also made a dent in things, going 1-for-2 with an RBI
  • Cesar Ramos, Brandon Gomes, Josh Leuke, Jake Odorizzi, Nate Karns, Kirby Yates, and CJ Riefenhauser teamed up to ring up six Orioles, while walking only one. Though the aforementioned seven gave up five hits in seven innings, they didn’t allow more than two base runners in any given inning.

Low-lights

  • Erik Bedard’s final line: 1 IP/3 H/3 R/3 ER/2 BB/1 K, ’nuff said.
  • Heath Bell’s final line: 1 IP/1 H/1 R/1 ER/1 BB/1 WP/1 K

The New What Next

David Price will make his first appearance of the spring in Saturday’s contest against the Pirates in Bradenton. Also slated to see action are RHP’s Mark Lowe, Brad Boxberger, Matt Andriese and Alex Colome, along with LHP’s Jake McGee, Mike Montgomery, Enny Romero, and Jeff Beliveau.

Rays 3/1/14 Starting Lineup

Rod 2B
Joyce RF
Forsythe 3B
Myers DH
Hanigan C
Belnome 1B
Nix SS
Guyer LF
Kiermaier CF
Price LHP

…Because It Bears Mentioning Again

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Don’t forget, March 1st is your first opportunity to pick up your very own X-Rays Spex “Raymones” shirt! Did you pre-order a shirt, and need to pick it up? Perhaps you missed the pre-order window altogether, and now want to snag one of these hot tamales. Join us Saturday at Star Booty, from 3:00-6:00 PM. We’ll have some assorted Smuttynose beers available for a small donation, thanks to Micro Man Distributers. Need more information to wet your whistle? Check out our Facebook event page. Spread the word!

I’d also like to announce the re-opening of the X-Rays Spex merch store. You may be saying to yourself (audibly like a creep, or otherwise), “I’m not able to make it to the soiree tomorrow, but I’d really like to order a shirt.” Well buckaroo, you can order them from the comfort of your couch, chair, stool, toilet, counter-top, etc, once again! We have a limited number of shirts in various sizes — small, medium, large and extra-large — available for $10.00 each. Please add $1.00 to the cost of each shirt if you wish to have it/them shipped to you.