The Tampa Bay Rays split their split-squad contests on Saturday. Brandon Lowe and Emilio Pagan led Tampa Bay to victory in Dunedin against Toronto, 6-5, while Tyler Glasnow struggled with control in the Rays 11-3 loss to the Phillies in Port Charlotte.
Wilmer Font got the start in Dunedin — his first after he sat out the second half of 2018 with a lat injury. The right-hander allowed two unearned runs in the first inning on Justin Smoak’s two-out homer, yet threw 10 of 17 pitches for strikes. Font leaned primarily on his fastball, aside from a pair of sliders.
Font said it was good to be back on the mound competing again.
…Today I feel great. Fastball … I didn’t use my curveball today, but I feel really, really good.
…
My first outing, I was looking to feel comfortable and make sure everything and my body is okay. So a couple of fly-balls and a homer on a high fastball, he was on it, but I feel good.
— Wilmer Font
Austin Pruitt also threw a couple of innings against the Jays. His only blemish? A first-pitch homer to Brandon Drury. Otherwise, the right-hander coaxed a pair of groundball outs and four fly-ball outs.
Pagan took over in the fourth and fifth innings and struck out three while allowing just a single.
Offensively speaking, Lowe had himself a day, almost hitting three homers — two of which were lasers off the wall. All told, Lowe collected two singles, a double and a homer, and drove in all six runs for the Rays. Lowe’s seventh-inning three-run homer gave Tampa Bay the go-ahead lead they would never relinquish.
Meanwhile, in Clearwater, Glasnow had an easy 1-2-3 first inning before the wheels fell off in the second. The right-hander allowed two hits and two walks (to the last two batters he faced) and was charged with three runs overall — two of which occurred after he departed.
I think, in terms of later in the inning, I think a little fatigue set in when the pitch count went in. But, that’s what Spring’s for. You’ve got to come out and get used to all of that stuff. But for the most part it felt good … felt okay. It’s still early on, but I’m pleased with where I’m at right now.
— Tyler Glasnow
You can hear Glasnow’s interview with Solondz in its entirety below.
The New What Next
The Rays pay a visit to the Pirates in Bradenton on Sunday, their final game before the first off day of the Spring. Ryne Stanek will open for Tampa Bay, pitching opposite of Mitch Keller. Jalen Beeks, Colin Poche, Oliver Drake, Jake Faria, and Casey Sadler are also expected to pitch.
Rays 3/3/2019 Starting Lineup
- Wendle 2B
- Adames SS
- Choi 1B
- Garcia DH
- Kiermaier CF
- Zunino C
- Arroyo 3B
- Heredia RF
- Smolinski LF
- Stanek RHP
Noteworthiness
— Matt Duffy remains sidelined with left hamstring tightness.
Obviously, it’s not ideal when a guy misses a couple of days and he comes back, you want to see him get in there consistently. But appreciate Duff for being honest about it so he’s not going to push something and it lingers all spring.
— Kevin Cash
— Yandy Diaz and Tommy Pham, both of whom were originally scheduled to play on Sunday, have been scratched from the lineup. Diaz was scratched due to general body soreness, while Pham will be limited to DH duty for 4-5 days because his shoulder “is a little tender.”