LAKELAND (620 WDAE) -- The Tampa Bay Rays got six strong inning of work from Nathan Eovaldi in his final tuneup start and a two-run homer from Brad Miller, but a pair of solo homers helped the Detroit Tigers salvage a 2-2 tie with the Tampa Bay Rays Monday at Joker Marchant Stadium.
At the plate: Tampa Bay got both of their runs in the top of the first inning, with Daniel Robertson doubling to start the game, moving to third on a groundout by C.J. Cron and scoring on Brad Miller's first home run of the spring, a blast to left off left-hander Francisco Liriano.
Tampa Bay managed just three other hits on the afternoon, a second-inning single by Joey Wendle, a third-inning infield hit by Kevin Kiermaier, and a base hit in the sixth by Johnny Field.
On the mound: Eovaldi allowed a pair of solo home runs, to Jacoby Jones in the third and James McCann in the sixth while throwing six complete innings. He allowed seven hits total and a walk while striking out four.
Minor-leaguer Jordan Harrison worked a scoreless seventh, while Mike Franco had a perfect eighth and ninth.
Injury Updates: Catcher Jesus Sucre was lifted from the game in the ninth inning after having consecutive pitches fouled off his face mask. Manager Kevin Cash said the removal was purely precautionary and that Sucre was fine after the game.
Opening Day starter Chris Archer threw a bullpen session today at Tropicana Field, throwing 30 pitches and reporting no problems after leaving his final spring start early due to being hit on the right forearm with a ground ball. Cash says he is good to start Thursday against the Boston Red Sox.
TUESDAY'S MATCHUP
Rays vs Detroit Tigers, Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, 12:35 pm
Rays pitchers: RHP Jake Faria (start), relievers TBA
Tigers pitchers: RHP Matthew Boyd (start), relievers TBA
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Thursday - Rays vs Red Sox, 4:00 pm. RHP Chris Archer (10-12, 4.07 ERA in 2017) vs LHP Chris Sale (17-8, 2.90 ERA in 2017)
Friday - Rays vs Red Sox, 7:10 pm. LHP Blake Snell (5-7, 4.04 ERA in 2017) vs LHP David Price (6-3, 3.38 ERA in 2017)
Saturday - Rays vs Red Sox, 6:10 pm. TBA vs RHP Rick Porcello (11-17, 4.65 ERA in 2017)
Sunday - Rays vs Red Sox, 1:10 pm. RHP Nathan Eovaldi (DNP in 2017) vs RHP Hector Velazquez (3-1, 2.92 ERA in 2017)
Monday - Rays at Yankees 1:05 pm. RHP Jake Faria (5-4, 3.43 ERA in 2017) vs LHP Jordan Montgomery (9-7, 3.88 ERA in 2017)