PORT CHARLOTTE (620 WDAE) -- The Tampa Bay Rays wrapped up the home portion of the 2018 Grapefuit League in fine fashion, cranking out six home runs to beat up the New York Yankees 11-1 Sunday at Charlotte Sports Park.
At the plate: After a first-inning sacrifice fly by Wilson Ramos, the power display began in the third. Carlos Gomez and Adeiny Hachavarria each his two-run homers off Yankees starter Brian Keller in the inning to make it 5-0. Adonis Rosa allowed three home runs in the fifth inning: a two-run shot by Daniel Robertson, and back-to-back solo homers by minor-leaguers Tristan Gray and Josh Lowe. Jermaine Palacios made it 11-0 with a solo homer off Trevor Lane.
On the mound: Tampa Bay's pitchers took advantage of the fact that New York did not bring Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Gary Sanchez, or any other of heir power hitters to Port Charlotte after having a sqplit-squad day on Saturday. New York was held to just one hit -- a single by Tyler Wade leading off the game -- until the seventh inning, and did not allow a run until the top of the ninth, when Trey Amburgey's base hit scored Diego Castillo for the Yankees' only run.
TOMORROW'S MATCHUP
Rays at Detroit Tigers, Joker Marchant Stadium, 1:05 pm.
Rays Pitchers: RHP Nathan Eovaldi (start), relievers TBA
Tigers Pitchers: LHP Francisco Liriano (start), relievers TBA
UPCOMING SPRING SCHEDULE
Tuesday vs Detroit Tigers, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, 12:35 pm
End of Spring Training