PORT CHARLOTTE — For a team that struggled to score runs in 2024, the Rays have been hitting fools this spring.
Tampa Bay entered Saturday’s game against the Red Sox with the highest batting average in the Grapefruit League at .282 and then promptly rapped 20 more hits in a 14-2 victory that concluded their spring schedule at Charlotte Sports Park.
Brandon Lowe hit his team-leading fourth home run of the spring off the face of the suites beyond the rightfield wall, and shortstop Taylor Walls later added a three-run homer. Curtis Mead continued his blistering spring with two more hits, although his batting average dropped from .543 to .538 (21-for-39). Josh Lowe, meanwhile, is 10-for-14 over his past five games.
“The biggest thing is developing an approach, having good at-bats and not being selfish,” Josh Lowe said. “Not trying to hit a five-run homer run or do too much. We’re a team, and we need to play like a team. And I think we’ve seen a lot of that this spring.”
Finding the plate
Joe Boyle was impressive early in the spring while routinely hitting 100 mph with his fastball, but the control problems that plagued him in Oakland are still an issue. Boyle, who threw 4 ⅔ innings Saturday, has a 3.52 ERA with 21 strikeouts in 15 ⅓ innings. However, he also has issued 10 walks, which is an average of almost five per nine innings.
Remaining roster
* minor-league contract invitee; + IL
Pitchers (19): Shane Baz, Joe Boyle, Taj Bradley, Garrett Cleavinger, Mason Englert, Alex Faedo, Pete Fairbanks, Jonathan Hernández*, Kevin Kelly, Nathan Lavender+, Zack Littell, Shane McClanahan, Mason Montgomery, Ryan Pepiot, Drew Rasmussen, Manuel Rodríguez, Connor Seabold*, Edwin Uceta, Mike Vasil.
Catchers (5): Tres Barrera*, Danny Jansen, Ricardo Genovés*, Kenny Piper* Ben Rortvedt
Infielders (12): Jonathan Aranda, Jose Caballero, Junior Caminero, Yandy Díaz, Ha-Seong Kim, Brandon Lowe, Curtis Mead, Coco Montes*, Tanner Murray*, Bob Seymour*, Taylor Walls, Jake Westbrook*
Outfielders (5): Jonny DeLuca, Josh Lowe, Christopher Morel, Richie Palacios, Tristan Peters*
Sunday: at Yankees
1:05, Steinbrenner Field, Tampa
TV/Radio: FanDuel Sports Network; WDAE 95.3-FM/620-AM
Pitchers: Rays — Ryan Pepiot, Connor Seabold, Jonathan Hernandez; Yankees — Max Fried
Tickets/info: raysbaseball.com
On deck
Monday: at Phillies, Clearwater, 12:35. Rays — TBA Phillies — TBA
Friday: vs. Rockies, regular-season opener, Tampa, 4:10
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