In the course of a warm (almost) spring day the Rays lost to the Red Sox in Port Charlotte, yet beat the Netherlands at Al Lang Stadium…and for the second year in a row I might add.
Matt Moore looked less than dazzling in his two inning start. Moore consistently kept his fastball high, and in the low 90’s in his first spring start. And we all know what happens when you toss meatballs over the plate; they get sent over the outfield wall. Ask Matt, he’ll confirm that theory. Two of the meatballs he tossed ended up on the other side of the outfield wall. He also could not seem to locate his change-up. Moore left the game in the third inning with the bases loaded and no outs after walking three consecutive batters. Then again, you can’t solely blame young Matt. Let’s call it what it is: with the exception of a few Rays pitchers, the pitching looked like crap.
On the flip side of things, though the Rays only scored four runs, they’re bats really came alive touching the Red Sox pitchers for 12+ hits. Now if they could just get RISP to cross the plate. Longo, Pena, Scott, and Joyce all had hits, which was encouraging. Longoria’s hit came off of a second inning high fastball in the low 90’s, that was blasted in line drive fashion over the left field wall. Longo’s homer was his first hit of the spring.
Not to be left out, Jeff Keppinger played SS today. Besides a bobbled ball in the third, he looked good. Unfortunately, for Elliot Johnson that is, it seems all but certain that the middle infield will consist of Sean Rodriguez, Reid Brignac, Ben Zobrist, and Jeff Keppinger, especially after today’s announcement (see below) of the cut of Tim Beckham from the roster.
Tampa Bay also announced more cuts, leaving 41 guys on the roster. Tim Beckham, and Stephen Vogt were sent to minor-league camp. Matt Bush, Dane De La Rosa and Brandon Guyer were also optioned to the minors.
Though Vogt hit .323 this spring, he just didn’t seem to have the defensive chops down just yet. Dare I say that his play bared a shocking resemblance to John Jaso? A Heyman rumor, that the Rays might be in the market for another catcher, made the rounds this week. Now with the cut of Vogt, and the Chirinos concussion, Heyman might not be far off the mark. Though Lobaton looks better and more comfortable with the position, I just haven’t seen that he’s acquired what it takes to block balls in the dirt, call a good game, throw out runners, and hit with consistency.
Tampa Bay begins the second half of their Grapefruit League season Tuesday, after an off day tomorrow. Expect to see more of the Rays regulars day in and day out from now until the end of spring training. I can only imagine that things would improve from here on out. I mean hell, at 4-10-3, how could things get any worse?!
On a side note, we’ll be posting ticket information for the 3/29 Rays vs. Phillies game in Clearwater. Let’s do this folks! Let’s make the “A Below Average Rays Fan Meet-up” a reality!