Tampa Bay faced the Red Sox in Port Charlotte Tuesday, in what was their second to last home game of the Grapefruit League season. Unfortunately, the major league baseball leading (record wise) Rays fell to Boston by a score of 4-2 in, what could be described as an offensive blackout. All was not lost however; the pitching staff was great for the most part, and the fielders flashed some leather on this windy and cool South Florida day.
I live blogged the game, and you can read a blow-by-blow account of the contest at our Tumblr page. Otherwise, peruse a handful of game highlights, and other verbal bric-a-brack, below.
- Jake Odorizzi looked good in his final outing against major league hitters, ahead of the regular season. Posting a 5 IP/4H/3R/2 BB/5 K on 92 pitches (58 strikes) line, Odorizzi was pleased with his outing, mentioning he was more relaxed since winning the number five spot in the rotation. His split/change looked good, though more impressive was his curveball which was quite whiffy. With the exception of a few mistakes, Odorizzi was solid. His next start will come Sunday in a minor league appearance.
- Joel Peralta, Jake McGee, and Josh Lueke followed Odorizzi (after Cesar Ramos, that is) and combined for three total base runners, on two walks and hit, while striking out two.
- The Dipsy Doo??? Peralta threw a side-armed/three-quarter arm slot pitch — with a lot of movement — to Dustin Pedroia in the seventh inning. Orestes Destrade summed up the pitch by noting it had a little “Dipsy Doo” to it. Well then. If anything, it serves as yet another potent weapon in Peralta’s aresenal.
- Jake “Mr. 93% fastballs thrown in 2013” McGee struck out Jonny Gomes swinging at a curveball, following that with a swinging strikeout of Grady Sizemore on a 96 MPH fastball that was up in the zone.
The New What Next
David Price, who improved to 2-0 one the spring in Sunday’s 8-4 win against Boston, will get the start against the Orioles Wednesday night. Price allowed two runs on three hits and one walk, while striking out seven in 6-2/3 innings. Price has posted a 2.70 ERA through three starts. He has 15 strikeouts in 13-1/3 innings, while issuing two walks and hitting three batters. The contest against the AL East rivals will be the last home game of the spring.
Rays 3/26/14 Starting Lineup
Joyce DH
Myers RF
Loney 1B
Longoria 3B
DeJesus LF
Jennings CF
Forsythe 2B
Hanigan C
Escobar SS
Price LHP
Noteworthiness
- Joe Maddon announced a few roster moves (official or otherwise) following Tuesday’s game, noting that Mark Lowe, Jayson Nix, and Wilson Betemit won’t be on opening day roster, though nothing has been etched in stone. Brandon Guyer has made the Opening Day roster though, which makes sense on a couple of different levels; he’s had a pretty good spring — especially in the field, and he’s out of options. Maddon said he hopes RHP Mark Lowe, and INFs Wilson Betemit and Jayson Nix remain in the organization — that they fit team extremely well. Betemit said he’ll go to AAA unless he gets a big league offer elsewhere. Meanwhile, the Rays released Mark Lowe in advance of his Friday opt-out, Which was expected when he didn’t make team. However, Tampa Bay Times’ Joe Smith tweeted, “Lowe still has jersey and hats in locker.”
- On the subject of Guyer making the roster, the Rays fourth outfielder said he’s really excited to make team, going on to say “(I’ve) been working my entire life to make the Opening Day roster.”
- Ray Olmedo and Mayo Acosta have been reassigned to minor league camp.
- The bullpen is not set, Maddon said, that “It’s not automatic Gomes and Lueke are on.” Marc Topkin asserts something else could be in play.
- Per Marc Topkin, Joel Peralta says suspended RHP Alex Colome is “frustrated,” that he “doesnt know what was the deal, why he tested positive.”
- I’ll post more roster moves as the chips fall into place.
- Don’t forget, a new batch of Raymones shirts arrived Monday, just in time for Opening Day! Want one? They’re currently available at our Big Cartel powered merch store. If you place an order one no later than midday Thursday, you should receive it ahead of the 4:10 first pitch, Monday. Of course you could always throw in some extra dough for expedited shipping as well. Don’t forget, you can snag one from Star Booty as well, conveniently located a few doors down from the State Theater on Central Ave, in the Sunshine City.
