Monday, 3 a.m.
Slow down. Pump the brakes. Remind yourself that it's far too early to get excited.
On the other hand, the hit-happy Rays keep making infielders back up a step or two, don't they?
For the second straight day, the Rays' bats poured it on against the Detroit Tigers, bashing their way to a 12-2 victory. The Rays had 13 hits -- seven of them doubles -- and seven walks in dominating the Tigers.
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The team that can't hit? They got three hits -- including two doubles -- from Wander Franco. They got three hits -- including a double and a home run -- from Yandy Diaz. They got two hits -- both doubles -- from Josh Lowe. They scored the game's first eight runs and coasted.
It was so impressive it almost overshadowed the first start by Zach Eflin, who gave up three hits in five innings.
It’s not going to be like that all the time," Rails' manager Kevin Cash said. "We know that. It is nice when it’s early in the season...right now there are a lot of guys in the clubhouse feeling good about their at bats. That’s what you want. The last thing you want after two days is not feeling it or not getting the result."
Even with the big output, the Rays could have started faster. But they blew scoring chances in the first two innings. Jose Siri's two-run single opened up the game, however, and the Rays kept rolling.
In the third inning, the Rays scored seven runs on six hits , including four doubles.
The Rays go for the series sweep against the Tigers today at 1:10 p.m. at Tropicana Field. Jeffrey Springs is scheduled to start for the Rays against Joey Wentz.