On Friday, Ji-Man Choi drove in the Rays first run of the Grapefruit League season. Tampa Bay ultimately fell to the Phillies, 3-2. (Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays)

The Tampa Bay Rays are set to play their first road (and evening) game of the Spring on Saturday, when they face the Minnesota Twins in Fort Myers. It’s the first game against former Rays player, coach, and front office member Rocco Baldelli as manager of the Twins.

The Rays dropped their Grapefruit League opener on Friday, 3-2, due in part to a series of mishaps by Kevin Kiermaier. The Outlaw misplayed a first inning fly-ball, fell down in pursuit of the hit, and finally airmailed his throw home well over the head of catcher Mike Zunino.

Definitely not how you draw it up. I don’t care if it’s spring training or not, I’m going to be thinking about that all day. And I’m not happy about it.

— Kevin Kiermaier

Kiermaier preaches accountability and conceded that he wasn’t ready for the wind-driven fly-ball.

I sit here and I preach to the outfielders every day, let’s take pride in what we do. The preparation wasn’t there today.

— Kevin Kiermaier

Bullpen candidate Colin Poche, who had been called the most unhittable arm in the minors — boasting 50% K/9 last season across 41.1 innings in Durham, having allowed just three runs while limiting batters to a .185 OBP … all while leaning on an 89-92 mph invisible fastball — had a rough debut, allowing three free passes (one with the bases loaded) and a single. He later admitted that he may have been over-amped. Rays pitchers walked seven overall.

Tommy Pham picked up where he left off in 2018, collecting a pair of doubles while scoring the Rays first run of the Spring. Meanwhile, Ji-Man Choi, who drove in Pham, showed well in his first look at first base with a pair of slick plays.

Non-roster invitee, outfielder Jason Coats, collected the first homer of the Spring.

The New What Next

Knutson Challenge: game one. Ryan Yarbrough will get the start Saturday afternoon. The southpaw will be opposed by Kohl Stewart. Jalen Beeks, Jake Faria, Emilio Pagan, Diego Castillo, Adam Kolarek, Tyler Cloyd, Hoby Milner, and Ian Gardeck are also scheduled to take the mound for Tampa Bay

Rays 2/23/19 Starting Lineup

  1. Meadows DH
  2. Wendle 2B
  3. Lowe 1B
  4. Smolinski LF
  5. Heredia CF
  6. Arroyo 3B
  7. Sanchez RF
  8. Velazquez SS
  9. Ciuffo C
  10. Yarbrough LHP

Noteworthiness

— Blake Snell and Charlie Morton will throw live batting practices in Port Charlotte on Saturday, with the potential to move into games by the end of the week.

— Avisail Garcia won’t play until Wednesday as the Rays plan to ease him into action following offseason right knee surgery. It should be noted, Rays Manager Kevin Cash stressed there was no injury or setback in camp.

— Sounds about right:

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