Rays And Phillies Call It A Day Tied At Five

Phillies Come Back With A Pair In Ninth To Tie Rays

The Philadelphia Phillies rallied for two runs in the ninth inning on Rays’ right hander Jacob Faria to tie the game at 5-5.  The Rays put the first two batters on base in the bottom of the ninth inning but were unable to plate the winning run.

The tie puts the Rays Grapefruit League record at 4-1-1 and the Phillies record stands at 3-2-1.

Odo Makes Debut:

Jake Odorizzi made his Grapefruit League debut working a quick and efficient two scoreless innings (30 pitches). He did not allow a baserunner and struckout one. “I thought it was good for the first time, I threw strikes, got some quick outs on three pitches or less.” Odorizzi said. “It was a good work day today, a good first outing of spring.”

Tommy Hunter Makes Debut:

On February 16th Tommy Hunter signed a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. His signing also includes a salary of $1.4MM if he were to make the opening day roster. In addition, the deal includes incentives worth $1.5MM.

Something would have to go horribly wrong for Hunter not to be on the opening day roster. Today he took the first step to preparing for the 2017 season by delivering a scoreless frame allowing a hit and a walk.

Sucre Continues To Impress:

In early February, the Rays acquired Jesus Sucre from the Seattle Mariners for a player to be later or cash. He has appeared in 90 games over four seasons with the Mariners, batting .209 with two homers and 20 RBI. In the sixth inning he belted his second homer of the spring, a three run shot, that gave the Rays a 4-3 lead.

Souza Returns:

Steven Souza, who had hip surgery last September, made his Grapefruit League debut going 1-for-3 with an RBI and struck out twice.  He also played five innings in right field.

Kiermaier’s Sore Neck:

Kevin Kiermaier missed today’s game with what is considered mild neck stiffness.

Up Next For The Rays:

The Rays will head to Fort Meyers to take on the Boston Red Sox on Thursday afternoon at 1:05 p.m.  The game will mark the Rays’ debut for Jose De Leon, acquired in the trade that sent Logan Forsythe to the Los Angeles Dodgers.