Despite a two-out, ninth inning solo blast off the bat of Joey Butler, the Tampa Bay Rays dropped the Grapefruit League opener to the Baltimore Orioles by a score of 3-2, Thursday afternoon. All is not lost, however; Nathan Karns was solid in his two innings of work, there were more than a few defensive gems in the game that stayed scoreless into the seventh inning, and Butler turned out to be the Rays offense.
Tag Archives: Tampa Bay Rays
Rays Spring Training Update, Day 10; Spring Opener, Alex Cobb Opening Day Starter, Longoria Hitting Cleanup, Etc
The Tampa Bay Rays concluded the bulk of their pre-Grapefruit League action, full squad workouts ahead of Thursday’s Spring Training opener against the Minnesota Twins. Yes, friends, the Knutson Cup starts early this year. Asdrubal Cabrera returned to the fold after being sent home the day previous with stomach virus like symptoms. And while there wasn’t much of a buzz regarding Wednesday’s shortened workout, there is quite a buzz ahead of Thursday’s game. I’ll delve into that below.
Rays Spring Training Update, Day Nine; Last Day of Live Batting Practice, Etc
Ailment seemed to be the buzz word around the Tampa Bay Rays camp Tuesday. First Asdrubal Cabrera missed the workout and was sent home after exhibiting stomach-flu like symptoms — Jake Odorizzi had similar issues earlier in the week. Then bench coach Tom Foley left the field early feeling lightheaded and dehydrated. Foley was taken in by the trainers and checked out and is fine. Still the Rays got in a full day of work on this abnormally warm winter (read: ha) day.
Rays Spring Training Update, Day Eight; Franklin Confident at Short, Beckham Goes Hulk on Smyly’s Windshield, Etc
Once the fog cleared from the greater Port Charlotte area, likely opening day starter Alex Cobb got the opportunity to throw live batting practice, along with Nathan Karns and flame throwers Jose Dominguez and Jhan Martinez among others. Karns, one of the candidates for the number five starter’s job, will get the ball in the spring opener against the Orioles, Thursday.
Rays Spring Training Update, Day Seven; Cash Sets Rotation For the First Three Spring Games, Etc
Despite the wet fields following a night of heavy rain, the Rays were back at things Sunday for the second full-squad workout, and the second day of live batting practice. Bulleted highlights from the seventh day of camp follow