If you’re like me, Tuesday’s game against those dreaded Massholes was one you wish you could’ve experienced in person, not vicariously through tweets. Not only did the Rays handcuff the Sox by a score of 8-0, but Chris Archer was superb in his two innings of work — allowing only one hit — and Jośe Molina performed a feat the majority of us had to experience through someone else’s lenses. Granted we’ve been privy to his fleet footed base running in the past, J-Mo outdid himself Tuesday — he scored all the way from first on a David DeJesus triple to the right-center gap. Let that sink in for a moment. If seeing is believing, check out DRaysBay‘s video below.
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/M4hbGbtZYLI”]
Chris Archer ended the day with an impressive 2 IP/1 H/0 R/1 K line on 21 pitches (15 for strikes). Archer, by all accounts, has worked on refining his four-seam circle changeup grip, noting he doesn’t mind if there’s only a six or seven mph difference between it and his fastball. Archer threw the pitch three or four times Tuesday, and he was thrilled with the way it worked.
“I think it’s just an added weapon to my arsenal,” said Archer, who also throws an effective slider. “It will be something that they’ll have to respect and it will make my other pitches better.”
[youtube_sc url=” http://youtu.be/cidTlS233go”]
Not to be outdone, Jake McGee and and Mike Montgomery combined for three innings of two-hit ball. Per Marc Topkin, McGee threw four curveballs — including one David Ortiz swung through. Granted it’s only Spring Training, and these games are ultimately meaningless, that the Rays’ pitchers were able to hold Boston’s big boppers to 3-12 on the day is pretty impressive.
On the other side of the coin, the Rays’ power-stroke came alive on this fateful day. David DeJesus, Jose Molina and Hak-Ju Lee hit doubles, (DeJesus also hit an RBI triple) and James Loney and Sean Rodriguez mashed a pair of homers.
After a disappointing ALDS against Boston in the postseason, I’ll gladly take an 8-0 shellacking of the world champs — regardless if the game was ultimately meaningless.
The New What Next
Cesar Ramos, who was recently elevated into the battle for the fifth-starter’s slot, will make his first start of the spring Wednesday against the Yankees. Fellow candidates Erik Bedard and Jake Odorizzi are also expected to pitch against the Evil Empire.
Rays 3/5/13 Starting Lineup
Zobrist 2B
Jennings CF
Longoria 3B
Joyce DH
Hanigan C
Belnome 1B
Nix SS
Guyer LF
Mahtook RF
Ramos P
Noteworthiness
- Maddon said Hickey stepped up as batboy Wednesday, then joked the Red Sox, “can afford a bat boy or two.”
- “Many think the triple is the most exciting play in baseball. It is actually J-Molina scoring from first on a ball in the gap. We saw it today.” — Joe Maddon