Update: Thursday’s game against the Orioles has been called off. Joe Maddon thanked the Orioles for making the decision early to call the game, allowing them to get work done and avoid wasted travel time. Price, Bell, Lueke, Colome got their work in, which was most important part of today for Maddon.
A day after Joe Maddon announced Cesar Ramos as a candidate for the number five spot in the starting rotation, the Rays southpaw got the start against the Yankees at Charlotte Sports Park. Tampa Bay eked out a come-from-behind victory, thanks to a trifecta of home runs by Ben Zobrist, Desmond Jennings, and Matt Joyce.
Ramos was shaky in the first inning, surrendering one-out singles to Eduardo Nunez and Ichiro Suzuki before former Ray Russ Canzler singled home Nunez. Another former Ray, Kelly Johnson, followed by grounding into an RBI force-out, putting the Yankees up 2-0. But Ramos settled down in the following 1-2/3 innings, allowing only two other hits while striking out two and walking none over all. Of the 42 pitches he threw, 27 were strikes.
“Felt pretty natural to be back out there [starting],” Ramos said. “The ups and down, I was more curious to see how I would react to it. I felt fine the whole way.”
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/7qw2m0D0-rg”]
Grant Balfour pitched the fourth inning, and followed a HBP by relenting a two-run single to Brett Gardner and putting the Yankees up, 4-1. Joel Peralta and Jake Odorizzi closed out the game, combining for two excellent innings of 2 H/0 BB/4 K ball.
On the other side of the coin, Adam Warren surrendered an opposite-field home run to Ben Zobrist in the first inning — his first hit of the spring. Then, in the bottom of the fifth inning, Desmond Jennings homered off New York righty Robert Coello with two aboard, knotting up the game at four apiece. Two batters later, Matt Joyce hit a proper bomb to right-field, giving the Rays a 5-4 lead they’d never relinquish.
Watch the action below via DRaysBay‘s game highlight reel.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/JtNbZdPLlVA”]
The New What Next
David Price will make his second start of the spring when the Rays travel to Sarasota, for a contest against the Orioles on Thursday. Price allowed one run against the Pirates 1-2/3 innings on Saturday. Also expected to see action are right-handers Heath Bell and Josh Lueke.
Rays 3/6/14 Starting Lineup
DeJesus LF
Myers RF
Loney 1B
Longoria 3B
Escobar SS
J. Moore DH
Forsythe 2B
Molina C
Rodriguez CF
Lara
Noteworthiness
Wilson Betemit is finally in Port Charlotte, following visa issues that kept him out of the country. Per Marc Topkin, Betemit said the visa delay was unexpected and frustrating, but he was working out at the Rays academy and can be ready for games in couple days.
With the uncertain weather, the Rays will take BP in Port Charlotte and delay their departure to Sarasota until 10:30. David Price, who was slated to throw his second outing of the spring, will pitch in a simulated game in Port Charlotte instead. Heath Bell, Alex Colome, Nate Karns and Josh Lueke will also throw in Port Charlotte. Braulio Lara will start if they play in Sarasota today.
The Rays have announced their Rays Membership Refer-A-Friend Program. It couldn’t be simpler to score $10 to your Rays Card and add $10 to a friend’s card too!
OFFER DETAILS: Minimum of two Flex Packs must be purchased at the time of sale (but who wants to attend a game alone anyway?). Following the purchase, $10 in Burst Bucks will be added to your card and your friend’s card – these funds may be used on concessions and merchandise at Tropicana Field. Please allow up to ten business days for funds to be loaded to Rays Cards. This offer applies to first time Flex Pack buyers only.
Any questions? Call Rays Membership Services at 727-342-5720.