Alex Cobb took the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)
Alex Cobb took the mound against the Philadelphia Phillies, Tuesday. (Photo courtesy of Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

I spent so much time talking about the abrupt exit of Alex Cobb from the game Tuesday afternoon, I completely overlooked the Tampa Bay Rays’ 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. It happens. Much like the players themselves, after a few months off from everyday action, I too need as many reps as I can get in order to get back into Opening Day form. Below are a few highlights from the Grapefruit League contest.

  • Despite his early exit from the game, Alex Cobb was flat out un-hittable in his three innings of work. Cobb allowed no runs and no hits while striking out three before coming out of the game with right forearm tightness. He threw 32 pitches of which 25 were strikes (78% K/BB).

  • The Outlaw, Kevin Kiermaier helped out Cobb in the first inning, charging in from center field and making a diving catch on a sinking liner off the bat of Ben Revere. This, my friends, is why Kiermaier is the Rays center fielder.

  • Asdrubal Cabrera put the Rays on the board in the fourth inning, bouncing an RBI single over the glove of David Buchanan, plating James Loney from third. It’s nice to see Cabrera’s bat start to warm up — he promises to be an integral part of the lineup this season.

  • Logan Forsythe went yard not once, but twice Tuesday afternoon — both were opposite field no-doubters.

  • Mikie Mahtook put a cap on the scoring, lifting a two-run homer to left field in the eighth inning. Of note, reliever Steve Geltz nonchalantly caught the ball in the Rays’ bullpen.

The New What Next

Chris Archer will take the bump Wednesday afternoon when the Rays face the Toronto Blue Jays in Dunedin, Wednesday. Also slated to pitch are Jeff Beliveau, Jim Miller, Brandon Gomes and Jhan Marinez.

Rays 3/18/15 Starting Lineup

Franklin SS
Jaso DH
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Jennings LF
Guyer CF
Wilson C
DeJesus RF
Beckham 2B
Archer RHP

Noteworthiness

  • Although I already spoke about our piece on Alex Cobb above, I’ll update it as any news on the ace sees the light of day.
  • Jake McGee threw his first session off a mound, consisting of 20 pitches. If all goes well on Wednesday, he will throw another bullpen session later in the week.
  • Grant Balfour threw 30 pitches to hitters on Tuesday. He is scheduled to throw in a game on Friday or Saturday, and does not believe he will miss any of the regular season.
  • Brandon Guyer was one of the hitters who faced Balfour. He also did some drills and, according to Kevin Cash, “seemed fine.” He is scheduled to play Wednesday against the Blue Jays.
  • Drew Smyly threw from 90 feet on Monday, was off on Tuesday, and will throw again on Wednesday.
  • Though he was projected to be released from the hospital, Sunday, RHP Alex Colome remains hospitalized with pneumonia.

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