Chris Archer looked sharp in his final tuneup for the World Baseball Classic on Saturday, throwing three perfect innings in Port Charlotte against the Baltimore Orioles. Yet in spite of the 16 total punch outs of the Orioles’ hitters, the Tampa Bay Rays fell 1-0 in the 2-1/2 hour Grapefruit League contest.
Takeaways from the ball game:
— Archer allowed just two balls to be hit out of the infield, and fanned five. The right-hander threw 30 of his 49 pitches for strikes, while his fastball ranged from 93–97, consistently hitting 95.
Archer’s three perfect innings
Archer intermittently incorporated a slight pause in his delivery, ala Alex Cobb, which he said is to improve his balance more than to throw off a hitters’ timing.
One way or another it likely will have an impact on the hitters, especially if he can maintain his fastball velocity and the break on his off-speed stuff.
I’m just tinkering with getting to a strong balance point really more than anything, Archer said. Not thinking what it’s doing to the hitter or whatever. Really just trying to get in a strong position at the top of my delivery and staying behind the baseball. There’s no method, I just want to feel myself over the rubber more than anything.
(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)
Both manager Kevin Cash and pitching coach Jim Hickey were surprised when they saw him unveil the pause in his first start last week:
When he did the first time Hick and I kind of looked at each other – I think it’s something that he’s probably tinkering with and I’m guessing to kind of keep him gathered a little bit longer. Whatever works – if he has outings like that, that’s fine.
(Audio Courtesy of Rays Radio)
— Tommy Hunter and Dana Eveland took the mound after Archer and threw scoreless innings. Eveland allowed a runner to reach second on a pair of fifth inning singles, but worked his way out of the jam by striking out Paul Janish to end the frame.
Danny Farquhar struck out both batters he faced, and Diego Moreno retired his only hitter on strikes.
— The Orioles scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning against LHP Blake Snell when Chris Johnson hit a first-pitch ground rule double to left field, and pinch-runner (and former Rays product) Joey Rickard advanced to third on a wild pitch. Rickard came home on Logan Schafer’s ground out to short.
Snell was sharp though, allowing just one hit over 2-2/3 innings of work, while striking out a pair. He departed after reaching his pitch limit (throwing just under 50 pitches) with two outs in the ninth.
Really liked the way Blake threw, Cash said of Snell. He had everything getting over the plate, that was great to see for him.
The New What Next
The Rays will head to Dunedin today to face Marcus Stroman and the Toronto Blue Jays with Alex Cobb on the hill. Evan Longoria, Kevin Kiermaier, Brad Miller and Rickie Weeks will also make the trip, while Ryan Garton, Jacob Faria, Jaime Schultz, Hunter Wood and Justin Marks are slated to take the mound after Cobb.
Rays 3/5/17 Starting Lineup
Dickerson LF
Kiermaier CF
Longoria 3B
Miller 2B
Weeks 1B
Beckham SS
Maile C
Franklin DH
Smith RF
Cobb RHP
Noteworthiness
— Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) speculated what the Rays might do if Matt Duffy, Logan Morrison, Steven Souza Jr. and Colby Rasmus are not ready to go on Opening Day. We could see Tim Beckham at short, Rickie Weeks at first, and Mallex Smith in left-field in the interim.
— The old, and much maligned, turf has been pulled up Tropicana Field, however, installation of the new Shaw Sports Turf can’t start until after a March 10-12 boat show.
— A new mandate has been handed down from the commissioner, base coaches must be in their boxes before each pitch. Many within the organization have deemed it the “Charlie Montoyo Rule,” for how far the Rays third-base coach strays.
— Jake Odorizzi has been added to the WBC reserve list, replacing Sonny Gray. He could be added to the roster if the team advances to the second or third round.