Rays Spring Training Game vs. Twins (Loss 8-10) Record: 2-2-1

The weather held up to allow the Rays and Twins to square off in Port Charlotte this afternoon. We’re very glad it did as today is the first #Bumpday of 2020 meaning Blake Snell would be starting the game. He had a flawless outing as he tossed a 1-2-3 inning including a strikeout of the Twins’ top prospect, Royce Lewis. The next Rays’ pitcher, Jose Alvarado, didn’t have the same fortune as he had 2 walks throwing 15 balls out of his 27 pitches. His command issues returned from last year unfortunately and Cash took him out after he recorded just one out. Kittredge did his job replacing Alvarado as he allowed no hits in 1 2/3 innings keeping the score at 2-0 Minnesota. Diego Castillo also had a perfect day on the bump as he hurled a 1-2-3 inning with one strikeout. Minor league pitcher, Shane McClanahan also struggled as he gave up 4 Minnesota runs on 3 hits in just 2/3 of an inning of work.

Kiermaier started the Rays’ offense this afternoon when he smoked a leadoff double off the wall in the 3rd inning. One of the Rays’ options at catcher, Kevan Smith, would follow with his first of 2 RBI singles over second base. Michael Brosseau would then blast a no-doubt homer to left field to give the Rays a 3-2 lead. The Rays still weren’t done in the 3rd inning though as Diaz and Choi would hit a single each to total 5 hits in the inning. Arozarena stayed hot as he laced an RBI single in the 4th inning to extend the Rays’ lead and simultaneously help his chances of making the big league squad. Tampa Bay also flashed the leather today as Adames and Brosseau made web gems as they robbed the Twins’ leadoff hitter, Luis Arraez early in the game. Poor pitching would hurt the Rays though as today’s contest would finish with a final score of 10-8 favoring Minnesota despite a 9th inning Rays’ rally.