Opening Day:
(the original version of this game also ended 4-3 Twins, but I had last saved the game after Lowe's homer in the first and then my laptop had an unexpected reboot so I lost that version, amazingly I ended up with the same final score)
Not the best way to start the season as we opened against the team we've played in the last two playoffs. Tyler Glasnow lost an early 2-0 lead on a Brandon Lowe homer, giving up 4 in the 2nd and 3rd before settling down. The damage was done, though, as all we could get back was a Randy Arozarena RBI single after a Lowe double. Alex Vesia and Nick Sandlin were impressive in relief, and Joey Bart had to leave the game after being hit in the 2nd inning. He has a knee contusion he can play through over the next week.
Game 2: The Rays overcame an early injury to Chris Sale in his debut and took a 5-3 win over Minnesota to even their season ledger. Sale has a rotator cuff strain and will be out 5-6 weeks. Taking his spot in the rotation will be the guy who took his spot on the mound tonight, Joe Ryan, who pitched as if it were his start going 6 2 3 3 1 9 after Sale pitched a perfect first. Ryan was victimized by a pair of Byron Buxton homers but gave up nothing else. Nick Anderson got the save, striking out the side after giving up a leadoff double. On offense, Randy Arozarena hit his first homer, Lewin Diaz had an RBI double, Brandon Lowe singled in a run and Willy Adames drove in a pair with a fielder's choice and a bases-loaded walk as all the scoring came in the first three innings.
April 8: Placed P Chris Sale on the 10-day IL with rotator cuff tendinitis, recalled P Luis Patino from AAA Durham.
Patino will take over a long relief role while the Sale contract is off to an inauspicious start.
Game 3: Jack Flaherty had a successful Rays debut in a 5-2 Rays win to take 2 of 3 in the opening series. Flaherty was 6.1 6 2 2 2 8 and pitched out of a jam or two but got the job done. The bullpen was excellent with Diego Castillo picking up the save with a scoreless 9th. The new boys led the offense with Jorge Ona having a big day, 3-5 with 2 doubles, one which drove in a run and another in the 9th which provided insurance when he doubled and scored on Willy Adames' single. Lewin Diaz also had a pair of doubles including one which drove home a run.
Team record: 2-1. Next up: We have our home-opening series against the Cleveland Guardians.