There really isn’t much to say about the Tampa Bay Rays/Baltimore Orioles contest Friday afternoon. It wasn’t televised or on the radio, and it was ultimately rained out. If it wasn’t for a handful of tweets suggesting otherwise, you’d never have known there was a game in the first place. In lieu of a formal summary, listed below are a few notes from the “game” as well as other noteworthy things.
— Though Everett Teaford got taken deep to left field on the very first pitch of the game, he settled down and coaxed a pair of poppers, and fanned Adam Jones to end the inning. Teaford now has surrendered at least one hit in five of his six spring appearances, and at least one earned run in three of those stints. His final line: 2 IP/1 H/1 ER/0 BB/1 K/1 HR on 21 pitches (15 strikes, 71% K/BB).
— Rene Rivera responded with his very own first pitch blast in the third inning, crushing his third homer of the spring to deep center field.
— In a twist of irony, Vince Naimoli, former Devil Rays managing general partner, will throw out the first pitch before the Rays season opener. Naimoli was chosen to acknowledge the 20-year anniversary of the franchise being awarded. Stu Sternberg discussed the decision with Marc Topkin, (Tampa Bay Times),
We are glad to have Vince Naimoli throw out the first pitch as we recognize 20 years since Tampa Bay was awarded a major league franchise. Vince led the effort to bring baseball here and has continued to enrich the community with his charitable giving.
— Rays manager Kevin Cash confirmed that Nathan Karns and Jake Odorizzi will start the second and third games of the regular season against the Orioles, however, he hasn’t determined the order he will use the two right-handers.
— Rick Kriseman and the City of St. Petersburg released its new deal with the Tampa Bay Rays (and a fancy infographic to boot).
Changes to the previous Memorandum of Understanding include:
- 100% redevelop rights (up from 50%) to the city anytime after the team announces it is leaving Tropicana Field for a site in Pinellas or Hillsborough.
- Payments that would be due for every year that the team does not play at the Trop. The payments start at $4 million and stair-step down to $2 million for 2023-2026 — totaling up to $36 million.
- A call for the Rays to supply the city with a “process and criteria” document within 60 days of council’s approval of the deal.
You can read the MOU in its entirety here: Updated Memorandum of Understanding.
Don’t expect this to be voted upon by Opening Day, Mayor Kriseman’s de facto deadline. Council member Karl Nurse wants a chance to persuade opponents by way of scheduling a workshop on the revised agreement at next Thursday’s meeting. Read Noah Pransky’s (Shadow of the Stadium blog) take on the negotiations.
The New What Next
The Rays return to action Saturday when they host the Boston Red. Nathan Karns, who earned a spot in the Rays’ starting rotation, will take the hill against Boston knuckleballer Steven Wright. Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi are scheduled to pitch in minor league games in Port Charlotte as well. Both will each start in their respective game and throw seven innings.
Rays 3/28/15 Starting Lineup
Jaso DH
Souza RF
Cabrera SS
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Jennings LF
Guyer CF
Forsythe 2B
Casali C
Karns P
Noteworthiness
- Alex Cobb was cleared to play catch today. Cobb, who is reportedly very excited, will play catch at a distance of 60-75 feet, planning 30 throws with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield.
- Rene Rivera will catch Archer (per his request) in today’s minor-league game. He is also scheduled to catch in Sunday’s game against the Red Sox.
- Don’t forget, we’re hosting an Opening Day party and you’re invited!
