The Rays improved to 6-3-2 on the Grapefruit league season, following a 7-1 handcuffing of the Minnesota Twins Tuesday, in Port Charlotte. They’re also up two games to nothing in the 2014 Knutson Classic series, against the Twins. David Price was impressive Tuesday afternoon, slashing 5 IP/3 H/1 ER/1 BB/8 K/75 pitches (49 strikes). The Rays ace allowed a solo shot to Jason Kubel on a 1-0 pitch to lead off the top of the second, but otherwise looked sharp in his five-inning stint. In a post game interview with Bill Chastain of MLB.com, Price noted,
“It got better as the game went on, absolutely. The first two innings, I kind of felt like I did 10 days ago — couldn’t slow myself down on the mound. Made some adjustments with [pitching coach Jim Hickey] and [Jose] Molina, and after that second inning, I felt pretty good.”
On the subject of his eight strikeouts, Price went on to say,
“My cutter and my slider were really good — throwing it to the back-door side to a righty and then throwing it in to a righty as well. It’s something I’ve been working on that was really good today. And my curveball, it’s definitely the best it’s been in six months.”
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/UACx-KGPHiU”] Grant Balfour was slated to pitch as well, however he was moved back from Tuesday to Wednesday after talk of his dead-arm last outing. Joe Maddon wanted to give him an extra day’s rest, and mentioned “He’s fine.” Jake McGee, Brandon Gomes, Brandon Boxberger and Kirby Yates followed Price, combining for four innings of 1 H/0 BB/4 K ball. David DeJesus returned to the fold after a few days off, going 2-for-2 on the day with an RBI. Yunel Escobar also put up a good showing in the batters box, going 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a run. Other offensive highlights include a seventh inning two-run homer by Jeremy Moore which followed a double by Jerry Sands — giving the Rays a five run lead. The newly reassigned Curt Casali added to the Rays lead in the eighth, mashing an RBI double to left field, driving in Brandon Guyer from first. Marc Topkin and Will Vragovic, of the Tampa Bay Times, put together a video recap of Tuesday’s action:
The New What Next
Nathan Karns will get the start Wednesday afternoon when the Rays travel to Dunedin to play the Blue Jays. Acquired in a trade with the Nationals, Karns is in competition for the fifth starter spot in the rotation. Also slated to see action are right-handers Mark Lowe, Josh Lueke, Kirby Yates, and Steve Geltz, along with left-hander C.J. Riefenhauser. Alex Cobb, Grant Balfour and Joel Peralta are scheduled to throw in Port Charlotte. The game will air live on Gameday Audio.
Rays 3/12/13 Starting Lineup
Zobrist DH
Jennings CF
Joyce LF
Forsythe 3B
J. Moore RF
Rodriguez SS
Betemit 1B
Nix 2B
Solis C
Karns SP
Noteworthiness
- With the potential for rain in Dunedin, the Rays will taking batting practice in Port Charlotte before heading north.
- Ben Zobrist is back in the lineup — at DH and leading off — following his stiff neck induced respite.
- Maddon and company made a second round of cuts following Tuesday’s game, reassigning LHP Braulio Lara, right handers Santiago Garrido and Sam Runion, and C Curt Casali.
- Marc Topkin reported, though Oviedo has yet to report due to visa issues, Maddon said he has not given up on him being on Opening Day roster.
- The Rays put together a video touting their new ticket Flex Packs, with my all-time favorite manager Don Zimmer (never forget the ’89 Cubs, friends). They included a promo code at the end of the video to receive $10 in Burst Bucks when you purchase a Flex Pack. You can also use my promo code: 10027942
[youtube_sc url=”http://youtu.be/jsS0BGW-028 “]