Game 1: Rays 3 Twins 1— Postgame News and Notes
Austin Pruitt threw two scoreless innings in his spring training and Tim Beckham had a pair of extra-base hits in a 3–1 win on Friday over the Twins in Fort Myers.
Pruitt, who spent last year in Triple-A Durham, threw 20 of 34 pitches for strikes. He gave up just a hit while striking out three without walking a batter. Kevin Cash was pleased with what he saw:
Beckham helped the Rays get on the board in the third when he tripled to right-center off Brandon Kintzler, then scored on a Daniel Robertson ground single to left.
Tampa Bay extended that advantage in the sixth, when Curt Casali doubled to right with one out, moved to third on a Luke Maile single, and came home on a Shane Peterson sac fly to left.
The Rays capped the scoring in the ninth when Braxton Lee walked, stole second, and came home on a Patrick Leonard double to right-center.
After Pruitt, Diego Moreno threw a scoreless inning, Jake Faria went two, Ryne Stanek went a single inning, as did Hunter Wood and Jose Alvarado. Jeffrey Walters allowed a run on a groundout in the ninth inning.
The Rays play their first home game of the spring against the Pirates on Saturday. Coverage begins at 12:30 p.m. with Countdown to Opening Day, featuring Matt Duffy and Chat Mottola. Dave and Andy will have the call on the Rays Radio Network at 1 p.m. with first pitch at 1:05. David Carpenter will get the start.
