The Tampa Bay Rays played the Detroit Tigers to a 4-4 draw at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Monday in spring training action. Will Simpson led the offensive effort with a 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, and two RBI day, but neither club could land the decisive blow. Shane McClanahan worked 2.1 innings on the mound, allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits. The Tigers out-hit the Rays 9-8 on the day. The draw is part of the exhibition experience, and the coaching staff will evaluate the individual performances as they continue assembling the Opening Day roster.
Key Performers
Will Simpson was the offensive highlight at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, and two RBI. His power was on full display throughout the game. The Rays will be hoping for more of the same as the spring continues.
Victor Mesa Jr. also contributed, going 1-for-3 with an RBI, Carson Williams chipped in, going 2-for-3 with a double, and Caden Bodine added to the attack, going 1-for-2. The Rays showed flashes of offense but could not piece together the big inning they needed.
On the other side of the diamond, John Peck led the Tigers offense with a 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI day. Kevin McGonigle also contributed, going 1-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Riley Greene added a 2-for-3 with an RBI effort as well. The Tigers offense proved to be too much for the Rays pitching staff to contain on this particular day.
On the Mound
Shane McClanahan got the start, running into trouble, working 2.1 innings while allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits with three strikeouts. He threw 41 pitches in the outing. The coaching staff will review his performance as they continue mapping out the pitching plan for the regular season.
The bullpen combined for 5.5 innings of work, allowing 1 earned run while striking out five. The Rays continue to sort through their relief options as they build their Opening Day bullpen. Every inning pitched in the spring is an opportunity for pitchers to make their case for a spot on the roster when the games start counting.
How It Happened
Tigers got on the board first with a run in the first inning. Tigers plated two runs in the second. The Rays answered with two runs in the fourth. The Rays tacked on two runs in the sixth. Tigers countered with a run in the seventh. Tigers out-hit the Rays 9-8, with 1 error committed between the two clubs. A crowd of 6,026 was on hand to take in the action.
Looking Ahead
The Rays will move on from the draw as spring training continues. Exhibition games can end in ties under spring training rules, and the coaching staff will focus on the individual performances rather than the outcome as they finalize their roster ahead of Opening Day. Every at-bat and every inning on the mound is valuable preparation for the regular season ahead.
