The Opening Day box:
One More Win is the motto around Publix Park as the Rays come off a 2056 season in which they lost Game 7 of the World Series, and they got 2057 off to a roaring start with an 11-1 drubbing of the Red Sox. Dave Rose was his usual dominant self and the offense had fun, led by Joel Bland who missed a couple of months last season with injury and who is hoping for a breakout year.
Game 2: It was more of the same as Steve Swords was excellent and the bats prospered again in a 7-1 win. Swords went 7 3 1 1 0 8 in a masterful performance and Henry Dominguez led the attack with an RBI double and a 2-run homer, his first of the year. Dantel Chinchilla was 2-3 with 2 RBI as well.
Game 3: The Rays took a quick 2-0 lead on a 2-run Dave Gonzalez homer (#1) and looked to be on their way but that's all the offense could manage despite several additional chances to score and lost their first game of 2057 3-2 to the Red Sox. It all came apart when Boston scored 3 in the 6th against Elijah Whitaker, who had been dominating, leaving him with a 5.1 5 3 3 1 9 line.
Game 4: Another game that good off to a good start for Tampa Bay (up 4-2 after 3) went sour thereafter as Boston came back to split the series after roughing up the Rays 10-4. Henry Dominguez homered again (#2) and Dave Gonzalez drove in two more runs but Jorge Barraza's inconsistency carried over from last season and 3 errors behind him didn't help as he's more defense-dependent than our top 3 starters. He took the loss after going 5 6 5 2 0 5 and then the bullpen let it get away in the 7th as Joe Rose and Victor Boria combined to allow 5 runs.
Team record: 2-2. Next up: Oakland visits for 3 games.