The Rays head back to Port Charlotte Friday to face the Phillies, following a 4-2 win against the Pirates in Bradenton, Thursday. They’ll, again, take on the Phillies Saturday, this time in Clearwater.
Alex Cobb had another impressive outing Thursday. The first Rays’ starter to be stretched out to four innings, Cobb allowed only one hit and walked none, while striking out five. He also induced five groundouts, which are his specialty. Chris Archer followed Alex Cobb and put up three shutout innings where he walked two, but didn’t allow a hit. Archer also struck out three in his 41 pitch (22 for strikes) outing where he posted a 54% K/BB percentage. True it may be meaningless since this is only Spring Training, but Chris Archer has a 0.00 ERA in Grapefruit League play. That’s pretty cool if you ask me.
Cy Young Award winner David Price will get the start today in Port Charlotte.
Rays 3/8/13 Starting Lineup:
Escobar SS
Johnson 2B
Longoria 3B
Joyce RF
Loney 1B
Anderson LF
Gimenez C
Vogt DH
Thompson CF
Price LHP
Noteworthiness:
Sam Fuld and Luke Scott continue to nurse tight hamstrings. Rays beat writer Mark Topkin reported that Fuld will miss another week, though his spot on the opening day roster shouldn’t be in Jeopardy. Scott should return to the lineup early next week.