PORT CHARLOTTE (620 WDAE) -- There were so many firsts in Tuesday's win, it's understandable if a few of the early ones slipped manager Kevin Cash's mind.
"You're only allowed to ask questions about the seventh inning on," Cash joked after the Rays put up a spring-record 19 runs on the Minnesota Twins in a 19-0 pasting of their American League Central opponent at Charlotte Sports Park.
Most of the damage came in the second and third inning, as Tampa Bay went up 5-0 thanks to two-run homers from Curt Casali and Nick Franklin, along with an RBI single by Evan Longoria, then added eight more an inning later, the big blows being a grand slam by minor-leaguer Jake Bauers and a three-run blast by Rickie Weeks Jr.
On the pitching side, the Rays hurlers retired the first 21 straight Minnesota batters, with starter Alex Cobb throwing the first two perfect innings, followed by similar outings from Dana Eveland, David Carpenter, Alex Colome, and Danny Farquhar. It was only after Neil Wagner came on to start the eighth inning that Minnesota was able to break through, as Bengie Gonzalez led off the inning with a base hit. Wagner would allow two more hits and a walk, but maintained the combined shutout.
The Rays have now won three straight spring games and four of their first five in the Grapefruit League,. They'll look to continue that streak Wednesday, as the Philadelphia Phillies come to Charlotte Sports Park. Right-hander Jake Odorizzi will make his spring debut, which will start at 1:05.