Forgot to include the team photo in the previous post, so here goes:
The opening day box:
Not a great opener for our boys as our ace Dave Rose just didn't have it today, giving up 5 runs on 11 hits while the offense didn't put up much of a fight. So 162-0 is off the table.
Game 2: But 161-1 remains on the table as the Rays bounced back from a dreary Opening Day to destroy the Dukes 8-1. Jesus Avalos led the way, clubbing a 2-run homer and a 3-run homer to give him a 5-RBI day and his brother from another mother Ezequiel Avalos went yard with a solo shot in the 3rd. Rookie Elijah Whitaker picked up where he left off in last year's postseason by going 7 8 1 1 1 5 for the win and justified the choice to have him start the season's second game.
Game 3: Tampa Bay took the rubber game of the series, getting a gem from Steve Swords in his Rays debut as they beat Austin 4-1. Swords, our most notable free agent signing, looked like a bargain as he went 7 3 0 0 2 6. The game was 4-0 into the bottom of the 9th when Adan Guardado made a mess, requiring Mario Berumen to get the final out for his 1st 2056 save. Jesus Avalos was the man on offense again hitting his 3rd homer in two days, a 2-run shot in the 3rd to get the Rays on the board and provide all the runs they'd need. Backup "catcher" Dave Gonzalez got a start at DH and was 2-4 with an RBI.
Team record: 2-1. Next up: A home-opening series with Toronto as we play 3.