Who says that big hitters don’t make their way through the Tampa Bay Rays’ farm system.
It’s just that when they do, too many times they end up elsewhere.
For instance, consider the case of Baltimore’s Joey Rickard, who was claimed by the Orioles in December’s Rule 5 draft. It was Rickard who took Matt Moore deep for a three-run homer in the fifth inning, enabling the Orioles to win a 3-1 game.
“Last year when I got to play with him for a month, you could see the professionalism in his preparation for the game and how he works his at-bats,” Moore said. “He doesn’t take anything off.”
Rickard’s blast ruined a terrific outing by Moore in which he allowed only three hits in seven innings.
The Rays scored only one run in the ninth inning when Steve Pearce drove in Brandon Guyer.
The loss kept the Rays from sweeping their first series of the year. It also kept them from moving above .500 for the first time this season.
The Rays play against Toronto Friday. Drew Smyly pitches against Aaron Sanchez.
