Desmond Jennings swiped his first of two bags in the first inning, Monday. (Photo courtesy of Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
Desmond Jennings swiped his first of two bags in the first inning, Monday. (Photo courtesy of Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

Despite the second consecutive game with a late inning rally, Tampa Bay dropped its second straight Grapefruit League game, this time by a 4-3 margin against those bastard Yankees.

Nathan Karns continued his bid for the fifth starter spot with a three inning, 49 pitch outing, relinquishing two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk. Karns told Marc Topkin (Tampa Bay Times) was pleased to go three innings and get in work on his change-up; a pitch he wants to improve. His change, though not wholly consistent, was effective enough to get Carlos Beltran to whiff. In an ideal world, the outcome of that at-bat will resonate with Karns as a growth moment.

Karns’ second offering, his knuckle curve, was sharp per usual. He showed several good whiff worthy curve and dropped another in for a called strike.

One thing I noticed, Karns had a rough time commanding pitches down in the zone in the second inning, subsequently spiking a few pitches into the dirt. He followed each errant throw with a shake of his hand as though he felt discomfort, or to signify that he had a hard time gripping the ball.

Adding credence, manager Kevin Cash told Bryan Hoch (MLB.com),

He looked good. I think he had some issues gripping the ball. He kept wiping his hand like it was slipping out of his hand. The first inning he looked really good, then he tried to work on some other pitches. For the most part, I thought he looked good.

To be sure, Karns pitched better than his line may suggest. Yet he needs to continue making strides with his fastball command and change-up if he is to achieve consistent success in the big leagues.

Brandon Gomes followed Karns and tossed a shutout inning, and Ernesto Frieri — focusing mainly on his fastball and change-up — worked around a hit and a walk to put up a scoreless frame of his own. Kirby Yates gave up another pair of runs in a rough, three hit, two walk seventh inning. Yates was replaced by CJ Riefenhauser who came in to get the final out of the inning.

On the offensive end of things, Desmond Jennings had a pair of hits and a stolen base, Evan Longoria lined a 95 MPH fastball from Nathan Eovaldi down the left field line, and both Eugenio Velez and Jake Elmore delivered RBI singles up the middle. Luke Maile also kept the Rays within reaching distance of a tie in the ninth inning by crushing a 96 MPH Chris Martin fastball to the centerfield wall for a double. Unfortunately for the Rays, pinch-runner Hak-Ju Lee was stranded at second by Boog Powell and Daniel Robertson who both struck out to end the game.

Jennings (mentioned above), Corey Brown, and Taylor Motter each stole a base each which was very encouraging to say the least. Furthermore, Powell ran aggressively to score from second on a botched double play, and Vince Belnome alertly moved up on a ball in the dirt. Much like the 2014 Royals, base running is critical to a team, like the Rays, with a questionable offense.

The New What Next

Right-hander Burch Smith will start against the Pirates split squad Tuesday in Port Charlotte. Fellow right-hander Matt Andriese will start for the other Rays’ split squad against the Red Sox in Ft. Myers.

Rays 3/9/15 Starting Lineup (vs. Pittsburgh)

Jaso LF
Jennings CF
Cabrera SS
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
DeJesus RF
Rivera C
Casilla 2B
Wilson DH
B. Smith P

Rays 3/9/15 Starting Lineup (vs. Boston)

Kiermaier CF
Beckham 2B
Franklin SS
Souza RF
Forsythe 3B
Francisco 1B
Butler DH
Brown LF
Casali V
Andriese P

Noteworthiness

  • Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters LHP Drew Smyly (shoulder tendinitis) “ramped up his exercises” which is “a good sign,” though his still isn’t throwing. Smyly contends he is still planning to start the season on the Opening Day roster and not the DL, “It’s nothing serious, we know that,” Smyly said Sunday. “We’d rather make sure it’s OK so when Opening Day does roll around I’m right there at full strength.”
  • Robbie Knopf (Rays Colored Glasses) questions What Will the Rays Do If Drew Smyly Starts 2015 on DL?
  • DH/OF John Jaso (shin) is expected to return to action Tuesday but will get to make his long-awaited outfield debut by starting in left field against the Pirates. Brandon Guyer (oblique/lat strain) was upgraded and did some rotational work, though he is still receiving treatment, and the team intends to take it slow. “We want to be smart with Brandon,” Cash told Marc Topkin. “That’s an injury you don’t want to get any farther out of hand.”
  • Alex Colome, whose two week-plus visa delay was likely related to his 2014 PEDs suspension, is expected to join the team in Port Charlotte Tuesday. Colome had been throwing regularly at the team complex in the Dominican Republic in the interim. Colome’s tweet (below) seems odd, as he wrote, “The Horse is Back!” According to Topkin, his 50-game suspension last spring was the result of testing positive for boldenone, an anabolic steroid primarily for veterinary use — often with horses.
  • A few Rays-centric tweeted updates (via Marc Topkin)

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