The Tampa Bay Rays dropped the first of many against Rocco Baldelli’s Minnesota Twins on Saturday, 10-5. In spite of the loss, Jake Faria and Emilio Pagan were among the bright spots for Tampa Bay. Both hurlers threw scoreless baseball and were efficient across 2-2/3 innings.
Faria posted the longest outing of the night, tossing 1-2/3 perfect innings while punching out three. The right-hander hit 93 miles per hour with his fastball after coming in relief of Ryan Yarbrough, who could not make it out of the first inning.
Faria was pleased with his outing, saying he stayed within himself, while also working on pitching out of the stretch.
I feel like I was able to carry over the stuff from the beginning of camp in my bullpens and live BP, and even improve on it a little bit.
— Jake Faria
Pagan also made his Spring (and Rays) debut, pitched the fourth inning, working a 1-2-3 frame with a pair of strikeouts.
Pagan looks very good, yeah. Very crisp. It kind of follows suit with every time I’ve seen him throw a baseball … bullpen, live BP, and now in a game. He looks good.
— Kevin Cash
Both Faria and Pagan followed Yarbrough, who had a difficult time putting batters away early in the count. In fact, he had a difficult time putting batters away, period. The left-hander collected just one out, allowed three singles, and was charged with four runs (two earned).
…It is a little frustrating to kind of go out there the first outing, but at the same time I kind of have an idea of what I need to work on, and there’s still some time to make some adjustments.
— Ryan Yarbrough
Even though Jalen Beeks allowed a third inning three-run home run to Byron Buxton, the right-hander showed impressive velocity, hitting 94 miles per hour with his fastball.
Tampa Bay did have three extra-base hits in the first two innings, including a run-scoring double by Brandon Lowe, and a two-run double by Austin Meadows, who got an early look in the leadoff spot.
Brandon Lowe, who is vying for a platoon spot at first base, made his first appearance there since youth league. He made the plays, although he did not
It’s going to take a little while
— Kevin Cash.
The New What Next
The Rays will host the Yankees on Sunday afternoon in Port Charlotte. Tyler Glasnow will start for Tampa Bay, pitching opposite of Jonathan Loaisiga.
Rays 2/24/19 Starting Lineup
- Meadows DH
- Pham LF
- Choi 1B
- Diaz 3B
- Heredia CF
- Adames SS
- Zunino C
- Bonifacio 2b
- Velasquez RF
- Glasnow RHP
Noteworthiness
— Kevin Cash said Avisail Garcia is on track for a Wednesday Spring debut. They, however, don’t have a date yet for Matt Duffy’s return; he had left hamstring tightness.
— Cash said the blister on Kiermaier’s right heel “nasty,” to the point where he played catch barefoot on Saturday. He may not play for another day or two.