Game 1: The Opening Day box:
Looking more like the regular-season Rays of last year than the playoff version. At least Alek Thomas had a decent Tampa Bay debut, getting two of the team's three hits.
Game 2: 11-3 W. WP-Khattak (1-0, 5 8 3 3 1 5). S-Lennon (1). HR-Y.Alvarez 2 (2), Hardy (1), Rutschman (1), R.Solano (1). The offense returned with a vengeance, pounded out 16 hits (and drawing 7 walks) including 5 homers. Everyone except Mesa had a hit and he walked twice. The rookie Lennon went 3 hitless for the save.
Game 3: 3-4 L. LP-Stone (0-1, 5 9 4 4 1 6). HR-A.Thomas (1). Rays squandered a 3-0 lead which included Thomas's homer to lead off the game as he continues to impress with his new club.
Game 4: 9-7 W. WP-Little (1-0). S-R.Rodriguez (1). Starter-Stevenson (4 8 1 1 1 3). HR-A.Thomas (2), C.Williams (1). They scored 9 but left 13 on and it nearly cost them when Watters gave up a grand slam (this on the heels of his OD 3 runs allowed in 1/3 inning) in the 8th. Thomas scored 3 runs including his homer and is hitting .467 and Williams' 3-run homer in the 8th turned out to be the key hit.
Team record: 2-2. Next up: 3 games in Detroit as part of our 10-game season-opening road trip.