Bill Chastain of MLB.com put it best,
Pittsburgh put its offense into high gear Saturday in taking a 10-5 win over Tampa Bay at Charlotte Sports Park.
Matt Moore had a rough start for the Rays, pitching for 24 minutes before getting lifted with two outs in the first inning. Moore’s outing had an inauspicious beginning when he hit Pirates leadoff batter Starling Marte, then walked Jordy Mercer.
Russell Martin singled home Marte before Brandon Guyer missed Pedro Alvarez’s drive to right field, allowing Mercer to score. Gaby Sanchez added a two-run double while Jose Tabata and Marte added RBI singles to give the Pirates a 6-0 cushion.
Sam Runion took over for Moore after Marte’s single and retired Mercer on a groundout to end the inning. Moore allowed six runs — four earned — on five hits and a walk. He threw 41 pitches, 25 for for strikes.
“We’re in a very unique situation where we’re in Spring Training,” Moore said. “These games don’t go on our record. … If I’m not going to get out of the first inning, I want it to be here.”
If Chastain’s summary wasn’t enough, perhaps the box-score screen shots will better put things in perspective.
I’d have to say Saturday’s game was pretty ouch worthy. Moving forward.
The New What Next
Chris Archer will make his second start of the spring on Sunday, when the Rays travel to Tampa to play the Yankees. Right-hander Josh Lueke is also scheduled to see action.
Rays 3/9/14 Starting Lineup
Jennings CF
Joyce LF
Myers RF
Loney 1B
Rod 3B
Figueroa 2B
Hanigan C
Molina DH
Nix SS
Archer RHP
Noteworthiness
Moore, on his rough outing:
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/ELFTHeMPYKw”]
The Rays made their first cuts of the spring following Saturday’s game, sending down six pitchers and two others so they can prepare for the minor league season. Optioned to Triple-A were RHP Alex Colome and LHPs Mike Montgomery and Enny Romero; reassigned were RHPs Matt Andriese, Merrill Kelly and Victor Mateo, plus OF James Darnell and C Luke Maile. On that note, Marc Topkin gave us a glimpse of the potential 25-man opening day roster:
Pitchers (12): Chris Archer, Grant Balfour, Heath Bell, Alex Cobb, Brandon Gomes, Josh Lueke, Jake McGee, Matt Moore, Jake Odorizzi, Joel Peralta, David Price, Cesar Ramos
Catchers (2): Ryan Hanigan, Jose Molina
Infielders (6): Yunel Escobar, Logan Forsythe, James Loney, Evan Longoria, Sean Rodriguez, Ben Zobrist
Outfielders (5): David DeJesus, Brandon Guyer, Desmond Jennings, Matt Joyce, Wil Myers
DL: RHP Jeremy Hellickson, RHP Juan Carlos Oviedo
Of stiff necks, sore sides and back pains… RHP Joel Peralta is reportedly fine after the pitcher experienced “kind of a whiplash” from reacting to a comebacker. Peralta said he felt “real uncomfortable” on the back of his neck and upper shoulder at first and still was a bit stiff afterward. “I don’t think it’s anything serious,” he said. “I hope not.” He went on to say his neck still a little sore, and he will know more after playing catch — though Peralta doesn’t think it’s anything long-term.
Ben Zobrist, who played in two games after recovering from back tightness, was scratched from the lineup due to a stiff neck. David DeJesus hasn’t played since Tuesday, and might not play until this Tuesday, due to soreness on his right side. “Nothing worth noting,” he said. Maddon expects Zobrist, Peralta and DeJesus to be playing early this week.