The Rays won, and won BIG today in Ft. Myers against the Twins, 10-4. Rays fans all over let out a collective sigh of relief because of it. There is a lot to be excited about.

For one, you cannot deny to force of nature that is Ben “Zorilla” Zobrist. One of the most unassuming players in all of baseball came up huge today at the plate. Zo went 3-for-3 with one run scored, while driving four on a second inning grand slam. He also hit a first inning double to start the game off. Maddon made an interesting lineup choice by having Zobrist lead off, and well, the risk paid off. Could this be the start of something new? Cody Rogers and Elliot Johnson also came up big, by knocking in a pair of two run homers. Jeff Keppinger and Jose Lobaton both drove in a run a piece to round things out.

I know, the Rays have had a few five-plus-run games this spring. However, this is the first time they’ve really dominated anyone over the course of the prior 23 games. And with only 10 games left in the spring training, this is a good sign that they may finally turn that corner, and walk into the Trop on a high note come April 6th. Joe Maddon has said on multiple occasions that the bats would wake up. To be fair, the Rays have had more than a few multiple hit games. BUT, they’ve been plagued again by not being able to drive in runners. Thankfully they were able to capitalize on run scoring opportunities.

It’s also encouraging that with the exception of Zobrist (okay, I guess I’ll include Luke Scott and Evan Longoria in this too with a hit a piece), the majority of the players that took part in the 14-hit parade were not the players that we Rays fans expect to carry Tampa Bay to their projected 93 wins. Why? Even if BJ Upton, Desmond Jennings (note: I reserve the right to leave Brignac out of this) and Sam Fuld are penciled in for opening day, with ten games left to go, can we really assume that they’ll have had enough playing time this spring to work out all of their kinks? I like the prospect that the Rays could be productive without the heavy hitters. Oh and dear Los, Longo, Scott and Joyce: don’t assume that you’re off the hook!

Box score courtesy of ESPN

Niemann pitched okay. Posting a line of 5 IP, 6 H, 2 R/E, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HR, 93 pitches (57 Ks) and combining that with his previous performances thus far, as well as his overall starts in the last few years, I think we’ll be seeing him in the starting rotation this season. Speaking of which, the Rays will be announcing their starting rotation tomorrow. Marc Topkin predicts that Shields, Price, Hellickson, Niemann and Moore will be the starters, finding Davis in the pen. Only time will tell.

Box score courtesy of ESPN

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