Spring Training Report: Rays pitchers playing tough
Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon wanted his choice for a No. 5 starter to be a tough one. He’s getting his wish.
Jeff Niemann, one of four candidates for the final spot in the rotation, pitched three innings of two-hit ball in the Rays’ 12-2 victory over the Houston Astros Tuesday.
The 6-foot-9 right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA in five innings this spring covering two starts.
“Another good outing,” Maddon said. “All these guys are going out there and throwing the ball really, really well. Jeff was good again.”
Houston starter Brandon Backe was hit hard for four runs in two innings. He gave up three hits and three walks. He also struck out three.
Niemann, who made two starts for the Rays last April when Matt Garza was on the disabled list, is competing with Jason Hammel, Mitch Talbot and David Price for the last spot in the rotation.
Twins 3, Puerto Rico 2: Bernie Williams, the former New York Yankees center fielder, went 1-for-2 with a walk for Puerto Rico in a loss to Minnesota in a warmup for the World Baseball Classic.
After two years out of baseball spent making jazz music, hanging out on the beach and enjoying time with family, Williams is playing for his native country in the WBC and is pondering a return to the majors depending on how he performs in the tournament, which begins March 5.
Williams, 40, served as the designated hitter for Puerto Rico and didn’t show much rust.
The highlight for the Twins was Joe Crede’s first start at third base. He saw immediate action, diving unsuccessfully for a hard-hit ball sent his way, and went 1-for-2 with a two-run double in the fourth inning.
Brian Buscher, starting at first base while Justin Morneau is away with with Canada for the WBC, hit an RBI single in the bottom of the inning to put the Twins ahead.
Penny start delayed: Boston Red Sox pitcher Brad Penny was scratched from his first scheduled spring training start because of shoulder weakness, and right fielder J.D. Drew went to Boston for an injection in his lower back.
Penny was to have started Thursday against Puerto Rico. He stopped a bullpen session Sunday after 25 pitches.
Penny was limited to 19 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, and just nine innings after June 14, because of the shoulder problems.
Clay Buchholz will start against Puerto Rico, which is preparing for the World Baseball Classic.
Braves 11, Panama 2: Tommy Hanson was impressive in his second spring outing, allowing an unearned run and two hits in three innings of Atlanta’s victory over Panama, which was playing its first World Baseball Classic tuneup.
Hanson, 22, struck out the side in the first. He fanned Astros slugger Carlos Lee with a fastball away, much like he did last week when he faced the Astros in his first outing.
Panama will play the Tigers in Lakeland Wednesday and the Astros in Kissimmee Thursday before leaving for Puerto Rico, where it opens the Baseball Classic Saturday.
Dominican Republic 10, Marlins 1: The Silver Slugger winners parading to the plate made the Dominican Republic appear to be pretty potent in its first game, and Alex Rodriguez did his part.
Rodriguez doubled and scored in a six-run fifth inning to help the Dominicans beat the Marlins in an exhibition game.
Tuesday’s Games
Canada 6, Toronto 4
Atlanta 11, Panama 2
Washington 9, Italy 6
Detroit 7, Venezuela 5
Cincinnati 9, Boston 8
Minnesota 3, Puerto Rico 2
Tampa Bay 12, Houston 2
Pittsburgh 5, Netherlands 4
Dominican Republic 10, Florida 1
St. Louis 15, N.Y. Mets 4
USA 6, N.Y. Yankees 5
Milwaukee 8, Colorado 6
L.A. Dodgers 5, San Diego 4
Chicago Cubs (ss) 6, Oakland 4
Cleveland 9, Kansas City 9, tie, 10 innings
San Francisco 7, Arizona 6
Wednesday’s Games
Italy vs. Florida at Jupiter, 1:05 p.m.
Panama vs. Detroit at Lakeland, 1:05 p.m.
USA vs. Toronto at Dunedin, 1:05 p.m.
Venezuela vs. Houston at Kissimmee, 1:05 p.m.
Canada vs. Philadelphia at Clearwater, 1:05 p.m.
N.Y. Mets vs. Washington at Viera, 1:05 p.m.
N.Y. Yankees vs. Atlanta at Kissimmee, 1:05 p.m.
Minnesota vs. Pittsburgh at Bradenton, 1:05 p.m.
Dominican Republic vs. Baltimore at Fort Lauderdale, 1:05 p.m.
Australia vs. Seattle at Peoria, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
Kansas City vs. Texas at Surprise, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
South Africa vs. L.A. Angels at Tempe, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
San Francisco vs. L.A. Dodgers at Phoenix, 3:05 p.m.
Chicago White Sox (ss) vs. Oakland at Phoenix, 3:05 p.m.
Chicago Cubs (ss) vs. Cleveland at Goodyear, Ariz., 3:05 p.m.
Netherlands vs. Cincinnati at Sarasota, 6:05 p.m.
Mexico vs. Arizona at Tucson, Ariz., 7:05 p.m.
Puerto Rico vs. Tampa Bay at Port Charlotte, 7:05 p.m.
Chicago Cubs (ss) vs. Chicago White Sox (ss) at Las Vegas, 10:05 p.m.