Rays Spring Training Game vs. Red Sox (Tie 2-2) Record: 1-1-1

The Rays and Red Sox finished this afternoon’s game in a stalemate with a final score of 2-2. Fortunately, this can only happen in Spring Training. Nevertheless, pitching was a bright spot today as we saw Yonny Chirinos strikeout the side and his sinker-change-up combo looked very good. Despite giving up 1 run on 2 hits in his only inning of work, he still looked solid as he competes for a role in the starting rotation. Other notable performances from the pitching staff today were from Oliver Drake and Nick Anderson who had 2 strikeouts each. They both picked up right where they left off from last season as Drake was a reliable piece out of the bullpen and Anderson was unhittable with the Rays as he recorded 34 strikeouts before he walked his first batter while in a Rays uniform.

The offense never really got going this afternoon against Boston pitching as the Rays had a few missed opportunities with runners on base. Early on, Hunter Renfroe grounded into, what would be his first of 2 double plays, with men on 1st and 3rd to kill a rally. There were a few highlight moments with the bat today though, especially from a couple of the new additions. One of these being Manuel Margot, who the Rays got from San Diego in the Emilio Pagan trade. He was penciled in to the lineup late today as Austin Meadows was unable to play due to a personal matter. Margot was clearly ready to play though as he reached base all 3 of his at-bats with a double, single, and a base on balls. The Rays’ loaded outfield is looking pretty darn good on both the offensive and defensive sides with Margot and Renfroe now patrolling out there. The other new addition that had a great showing in today’s game was the Japanese slugger, Yoshi Tsutsugo, who has reached base in each of his first 4 at-bats of the spring with 2 walks, a single, and an opposite field homerun off the scoreboard that he crushed this afternoon.