The regular season can’t get here quickly enough for the Tampa Bay Rays. Not after the way that Spring Training concluded.
The Rays didn’t win either half of a split squad doubleheader Friday, falling 9-4 (in a game they led 3-0) to Detroit and tying Atlanta 2-2.
Tampa Bay finished the spring 12-13. It has Saturday off before opening against Toronto on Sunday afternoon.
In its defeat on Friday, the Rays got three innings out of Matt Moore, who left with the score tied. But Jhan Marinez gave up five runs in the fourth inning to take the loss.
Tim Beckham had a two-run homer for the Rays.
In the tie game, Atlanta had a 2-0 lead before the Rays tied it. Adam Wilk started for the Rays and went four innings.
The Rays announced their starting lineup for Sunday’s game. They will lead off with second baseman Logan Forsythe, then come with first baseman Adam Morrison, third baseman Evan Longoria, DH Corey Dickerson, left-fielder Desmond Jennings, shortstop Brad Miller, right fielder Steven Souza, centerfielder Kevin Kiermaier and catcher Hank Conger. Chris Archer will pitch.