The Minnesota Twins dropped a 9-6 decision to the Tampa Bay Rays at Lee Health Sports Complex on Saturday in spring training play. Despite Matt Wallner's 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI effort at the plate, the Twins could not pull even when it mattered. Simeon Woods Richardson worked 4.0 innings on the mound, allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits. The Rays out-hit the Twins 10-6 on the day. Despite the result, the coaching staff gathered useful data on the current state of the roster. Spring training losses sting, but the information gained will inform decisions as Opening Day approaches.
Key Performers
Matt Wallner was the top performer at the plate, going 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI. His ability to drive the ball out of the park was the highlight of the afternoon. Performances like this give the Twins confidence that the lineup is rounding into form.
Jose Salas provided support, going 1-for-1 with two RBI, Josh Bell also contributed, going 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI, and Luke Keaschall chipped in, going 1-for-3 with a double. While there were individual bright spots, the lineup could not string hits together consistently.
On the other side of the diamond, Kenny Piper led the Rays offense with a 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBI day. Justyn-Henry Malloy also contributed, going 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI. Brailer Guerrero added a 1-for-1 with an RBI effort as well. The Rays offense proved to be too much for the Twins pitching staff to contain on this particular day.
On the Mound
Simeon Woods Richardson got the start, putting together a workmanlike effort, working 4.0 innings while allowing 3 earned runs on 3 hits with two strikeouts. He threw 79 pitches in the outing. It was a useful learning experience as the Twins evaluate their pitching depth heading into the regular season.
The bullpen combined for 4.3 innings of work, allowing 6 earned runs while striking out five. Spring training gives the coaching staff a chance to evaluate bullpen depth, and today provided useful information about the current state of the bullpen. Each reliever is auditioning for a roster spot, and innings like these factor into those decisions.
Among the relievers, Anthony Banda stood out with 1.0 innings of scoreless work, striking out two. His performance was one of the day's bright spots from the bullpen.
How It Happened
Rays got on the board first with a run in the second inning. The Twins countered with a run in the third. Rays struck back with two runs in the fourth. The Twins answered with two runs in the fifth. Rays responded with a run in the sixth. Rays pushed across a run in the seventh. Rays plated four runs in the ninth. The Twins answered with three runs in the ninth. The Rays were able to score in five separate innings, keeping the pressure on throughout the contest. Rays out-hit the Twins 10-6, with both teams playing clean defense. A crowd of 7,552 was on hand to take in the action.
Looking Ahead
It was not the outcome the Twins were looking for, but spring training provides a forgiving environment to work through the rough patches. The focus remains on preparation and development, and the coaching staff will use today as a teaching opportunity. The regular season is right around the corner, and every game is a chance to improve.