Monday, 3 a.m.
Offense. Following their first win, the Tampa Bay Rays want you to talk about their offense.
They want you to talk about an opening weekend in which they scored 23 runs, and one in which they compiled 41 hits.
They want you to talk about Yandy Diaz, who had five hits and four RBI in Saturday's 11-7 victory over St. Louis. They want you to talk about Jonathan Arana, who had three hits and two RBI. They want you to remember the team was up 7-1 in the first game and 5 -4 in the 10th inning of the second.
The pitching? Don't mention it. Please. Don't.
The Rays had to work hard to shake the Cardinals on Sunday. They had a 6-1 lead and looked as if they would run away. But St. Louis scored three in the fourth to came within two runs. The Cardinals had two baserunners in the fifth, one in the sixth, three in the seventh. They scored three in the eighth.
Still, the offense kept pounding. Diaz led the way (he has nine hits in three games, a team record to start as season). Chandler Simpson and Jonny Deluca each had two hits.
Steven Matz started for the Rays and gave up four runs in fifth innings.
The Rays now travel to Milwaukee for three games. In the opening, Nick Martinez will start for the Rays against Kyle Harrison today at 7:40 p.m. at American Family Field.