Saturday, 4 a.m.
Maybe this year, the doubters will be right. Maybe this year, the Rays don’t outthink the opposition nearly as often.
After all, they had a dreadful spring training record, and their injuries border on ridiculous, and their shortstop is mired in scandal. So, yeah, maybe this is the year the odds catch up to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Then again, maybe not.
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The Rays won their first game of the season Friday night, dominating Toronto in an 8-2 victory. It was an impressive win, reversing an 8-2 loss to the Jays on Opening Day.
Brandon Lowe, whose health has made him an annual concern for the Rays, hit his fourth career grand slam in the third inning to get the Rays off and running, The blast went 444 feet for the Rays’ first four runs. Ben Rortvedt (single), Jose Caballero (hit by pitch) and Yandy Diaz (fielder’s choice) all scored the play.
Later, Diaz singled in two runs. Randy Arozareana and Caballero drove I the other two.
Starter Aaron Civale was strong, allowing just four hits in six innings.
The Rays are home again today at 4:30 p.m. against Toronto. Zack LIttell will start against Yusei Kikuchi of the Blue Jays