Rays Drop Grapefruit League Opener, 4-2

If anything should be said following the Grapefruit League season opener, it’s that the box score after nine hard innings is, ultimately, irrelevant — at least you hope so if you’re Erik Bedard. The veteran LHP didn’t fare well in one inning of work Friday, relinquishing three runs on three hits — including a two-out, two RBI base hit off the bat of Al Gonzalez. All is not lost however, the Rays bullpen blanked the O’s from the third inning on, while Yunel Escobar put together a solid day at the plate.