The Rays four-inning intrasquad game today ended with a 2-0 score. In the 2nd inning 2B Jeff Keppinger tripled and scored on an RBI groundout by 1B Matt Mangini, and SS Reid Brignac led off the 3rd with a homer off RH Marquis Fleming.
3B Evan Longoria sustained a bruised right hand when he was hit by a pitch from RH Matt Bush in the 4th inning. Precautionary X-rays came back negative and he is day-to-day. "It’s just a bruise, it’s sore, but getting hit by a pitch is part of the game," said Longoria. "The x-rays were negative and that’s good. Now it’s day to day and we will see how it feels tomorrow. At this point, we just need to get the swelling out of there."
LH Cesar Ramos started and tossed 1 perfect inning with 2 strikeouts. RH Alex Cobb relieved him and also threw 1 perfect frame with 2 strikeouts. The other starter, RH Josh Lueke, worked a perfect 1st inning with a strikeout.
Friday is the annual Rays Charity Golf Classic, held at the Ritz-Carlton Members Golf Club in Bradenton. There will be a short morning workout from 9:00 to 10:30 am and then golfing the rest of the day.
Sunday Spring Training Home Opener: March 4th vs. Minnesota, Charlotte Sports Park at 1:05 pm (radio WDAE 620 AM). RHSP Jeremy Hellickson is scheduled to start, followed by RHRP Fernando Rodney, RHRP Joel Peralta, LHRP J.P. Howell, LHRP Jake McGee, RHRP Josh Lueke, RHRP Burke Badenhop, and RHRP Romulo Sanchez.
The pregame schedule will be: 10:20 - Rays batting practice, 11:20 Twins batting practice, 12:20 Rays infield, 12:30 Twins infield.