Dateline: Browns Chapel
On a beautiful spring day, the Rays led off their season opener at home against the visiting Devil Rays. The Devil Rays jumped on the Red Sox starter, Garrett, for four quick runs in the top of the first. Garret threw a number of great pitches, but the Devil Rays were able to get some good hits and took a quick lead. In the bottom of the first the Red Sox fought back quickly. Jared led off with a single. Michael and Garret singled to load the bases. Matt smashed a single to score a run. Later TJ singled to score Matt and after one the Red Sox had cut the lead in half to 4-2.
Michael F. came on in the second and, after a couple of walks settled down and shut down the Rays. The Red Sox went down quietly in the bottom of the second. verye
In the third, the Devil Rays were able to get one run after a couple of walks. In the bottom of the third the Sox bats came alive. Jared led off with his second hit of the day.
Michael singled to put runners at first and second. Matt followed with a sharp smash to the first baseman and Garret scored. Ben, Justin, and TJ continued with three more hits scoring Michael F. and Matt. After three the game was tied at 5-5.
Matt took the mound in the fourth and made a great play on a tough grounder to his right, he picked it up and fired to first and Michael F made a great catch at first. After a couple of hits, the Rays were able to score another run and take the lead 6-5. The Red Sox offense then really came alive. William walked, Jared singled for his third hit of the day, Michael walked to load the bases. Matt walked to score a run, Justin got his third hit of the day as well and after the dust settled, William, Jared, Michael F, and Matt had all scored. Matt shut down the Rays in the fifth and the Red Sox got some insurance runs in the bottom of the inning. TJ led off with a walk, Cory walked, MIchael S walked to load the bases. Jack hit a hard smash to right field scoring Corey. A few more walks scored TJ, Michael S. and Jack. After 5 it was 12-6 and the game was called due to the rule that says an inning can’t start two hours after the start of the game.
Coach Grossman was very pleased with the opener and allowed a rare post game interview. He said “Typically, I start preparations immediately for the following game, but today I’m just going to enjoy the afternoon. This was a great way to start the season. I liked how our bats came alive and I want to continue to improve our readiness in the field. We looked a lot better than our recent scrimmage and I am sure we will keep on improving. Also, great work by all of our pitchers, they have room to improve, but it was an excellent start. “
