FRIDAY, APRIL 3, 2015 AT RH vs. RH Anibal Sanchez First Pitch: 1:05 p.m. | Location: Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, Fla. | TV: None | Radio: None Game No: 29 (14-12-2) | vs. AL: 11-8-1 | vs. NL: 3-4-1 | Home: 6-7-1 | Road: 8-5-1 Day 38 of | 5 Days Until —Monday, April 6 vs. BAL (3:10 p.m.)

THREE DAYS AWAY—Full details on Opening Day festivities are available Miami (86.7 pct.)…CF ’s TODAY’S STARTING LINEUP in a separate press release at rayspressbox.com, as well as details on spe- 5 SB are tied for 7th in the majors. 39 Kevin Kiermaier (L) DH cial community efforts this week building excitement for the season…now 20 Steven Souza Jr. (R) RF that the schedule at Charlotte Sports Park is finished, the Rays have moved YESTERDAY’S ACTION—The Rays 28 (L) LF their base of operations to Tropicana Field until the opener…on Sunday defeated the Phillies, 10-1, in Clearwa- 3 (R) 3B both the Rays (optional) and Orioles will hold workouts, closed to the media. ter, tying their spring high in runs scored 21 James Loney (L) 1B (March 12 vs. TOR)…Opening Day start- 5 (R) CF Today (Lakeland) Saturday (Tropicana Field) 1 (R) 2B er RH Chris Archer worked 2 scoreless Gate 4 opens 7:30 a.m. Gate 4 opens 7:30 a.m. 83 Jake Elmore (R) SS Clubhouse open (Trop) 8:00–9:00 Clubhouse open 8:00–9:00 innings (1-H, 0-BB, 2-SO, 27 pitches) in 60 Bobby Wilson (R) C Team bus leaves 9:00 a.m. available 9:15 a.m. his final spring tune-up and earned the 23 Jake Odorizzi RHP Kevin Cash available 10:30 a.m. Stretch & fundamentals 9:30 a.m. win…RH Nathan Karns followed with 6 Game in Lakeland 1:05 p.m. Rays BP 10:30 a.m. solid frames (5-H, 1-R/ER, 2-BB, 8-SO, RAYS IN 1-HR)…the Rays offense came in the 2nd SPRING TRAINING WOUNDED WARRIORS—Members of the Wounded Warriors will take BP inning (4 runs), 4th inning (2) and 9th in- 2015 14-12-2 71,472 2014 16-7-4 78,264 today at noon against former Rays RH Andy Sonnanstine…several cur- ning (4)…LF David DeJesus knocked a 3- homer in the 2nd…CF Kevin Kier- 2013 15-17-2 90,935 rent Rays players will attend…media should enter through Gate 1. 2012 10-16-6 87,916 maier had a 2-run triple in the 4th…in the 2011 15-14-2 95,859 BOWL FOR KIDS’ SAKE—Tonight Chris Archer will go to Pin Chasers 9th against RH Jonathan Papelbon, 3B 2010 20-8-2 97,971 Midtown in Tampa for the annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake fundraiser, benefiting Leonardo Reginatto homered and LF 2009 15-16-1 103,255 Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay…the top fundraisers for the event, a 2-run triple. 2008 18-8-2 54,960 which launched earlier this month, were invited to the VIP bowling party… 2007 10-19-2 79,044 the event is not open to the public, but media is welcome to attend (4847 RAYS vs. TIGERS—The Rays and Tigers 2006 13-16-1 70,756 N. Armenia Ave.)…the event goes from 5–7 p.m., and Archer will be there haven’t played all spring, but close out 2005 13-16 61,261 2004 11-8 43,916 from 6–7 p.m. their Grapefruit League schedules with 2 games today and tomorrow…last spring 2003 8-19-3 51,324 2002 10-16-1 49,043 they played only once, March 28 in Lake- THAT TIME OF THE SPRING—The deadline for the Rays to set the Open- 2001 12-15-1 57,081 ing Day roster is Sunday at 3 p.m. …the spring roster currently stands at 34 land in their final Grapefruit League game, 2000 14-17 67,089 players (18-P, 3-C, 7-INF, 5-OF, 1-DH), not counting RH Alex Colome (DL). and Detroit won, 6-3…they are scheduled 1999 14-14-1 59,230 ÊÊ Today RH Alex Colome (pneumonia) is scheduled to throw live BP, for 6 regular-season games, July 27-29 at 1998 12-18 66,781 while LH Jake McGee (offseason left elbow surgery) and LH Matt home and Sep 7-9 in Detroit…the Rays Total 240-256-30 1,286,517 Moore (Tommy John surgery) are scheduled to throw sessions. went 4-3 in the 2014 season, their first win- ÊÊ LH (left shoulder tendinitis) is expected to throw an- ning campaign against them since 2010. other live BP session tomorrow. SEVEN YEARS AS THE RAYS (2008-14)—Since changing their name SLICE OF GRAPEFRUIT—The Rays have won 3 straight games while to the Rays in 2008, the Rays are 627-508 (.552) in the regular season, outscoring their opponents 17-4…they need to win one of their remaining fourth-best record in the majors after the Yankees (.571), Angels (.554) and 2 games to reach 15 wins—a mark they’ve reached in 6 of the 7 years as Cardinals (.554)…the Rays have won 90-plus games five times, most in the the “Rays” after never doing so in 10 springs as the Devil Rays…the Rays majors in this span…they have advanced to the postseason four times; only began the spring 1-5-1, worst mark in the majors through March 10, but are the Cardinals (five) have been more often. 13-7-1 since then. ÊÊ The Rays pitching staff has allowed only 4,536 runs, fewest by an ÊÊ This is the Rays 18th spring in the AL team over a span of seven full seasons since 1974-80 (Orioles 4,271; Yankees 4,353)…they have thrown 96 , most by an Grapefruit League and seventh call- BEST RECORDS, MLB, ing Charlotte Sports Park home…the SPRING TRAINING, 2008-15 AL team over a seven-year span since the 1975-81 Yankees (also 2014 Rays recorded the best spring Kansas City 139-100 .582 96)…they achieved all this while starting a under the age of record in the majors at 16-7-4 (.696), LA Angels 138-103 .573 30 in 93.5 pct. of their games (1,062 of 1,135). their third Grapefruit League title in a Tampa Bay 123-98 .557 span of 7 seasons (also 2008, 2010). St. Louis 121-100 .548 ARCHER GETS THE NOD FOR OPENING DAY—On March 26, Manager Detroit 133-110 .547 Kevin Cash confirmed that RHChris Archer will start on Opening Day vs. DRY RUN—Tomorrow the Rays host the Ti- the Orioles…earlier this spring, RH was named Opening Day gers at 12:35 p.m. at Tropicana Field…lower level general admission tickets starter before he was sidelined by right forearm tendinitis…this will mark cost $15…either RH Matt Andriese or RH Erasmo Ramirez will start for the the 13th straight season the Rays Opening Day starter has been age 30 Rays, and both will pitch…the last official Grapefruit League game held here or younger…the only Opening Day starter over age 30 in Rays history was was March 30, 2013, also against the Tigers—a game that ended in a 3-3 31-year-old in 2002. tie…LH Matt Moore faced RH Doug Fister in that contest. ÊÊ The past seven Rays openers have been started by either (2008-10, 2012) or (2011, 2013-14); Archer is ROAD RAYGE—The Rays are 8-5-1 on the road this spring heading into the first apart from that pair since in 2007. their 15th and final road game today…the pitching staff has compiled a 1.96 ERA (123.2-IP, 27-ER) on the road—more than a run better than any other NON-ROSTER INVITES TO MAKE RAYS OPENING DAY ROSTER— staff in baseball (Yankees, 2.98)—while holding opponents to a .211 avg. 1998 RH Rolando Arrojo 2000 RH Dave Eiland, INF Herbert Perry TAKES A LICKING, KEEPS ON PITCHING—The Rays have yielded only 1 2001 RH Ken Hill run on 10 hits over the last 2 games…the Rays own a 3.12 ERA (250.2-IP, 2003 OF , LH Jim Parque, RH Steve Parris 87-ER) this spring, 2nd in the majors to St. Louis (3.06)…the Rays have al- 2005 OF Chris Singleton, RH Hideo Nomo lowed only 17 HR, tied with Boston for 2nd fewest in the majors (St. Louis, 2006 RH Jason Childers, RH Ruddy Lugo, INF Luis Ordaz 12), and their .245 opp avg. is 4th lowest. 2007 RH Gary Glover, 1B Carlos Peña, RH Al Reyes 2008 INF/OF Eric Hinske ABOUT THE OFFENSE—The Rays are batting .240 this spring, 2nd lowest 2011 RH Juan Cruz in the majors ahead of the Phillies (.233)…26 of their 28 HR have come in 2013 1B/OF Shelley Duncan, RH Jamey Wright the last 21 games, compared to 2 HR in their first 7 games. ÊÊ LF Desmond Jennings is batting .432 (19-for-44), within reach of UPCOMING PROBABLES—Today at DET Sean Rodriguez’s spring club record of .460 in 2010 (min. 40 AB)… ÊÊ TB—RH Jake Odorizzi (start), RH Grant Balfour, RH Brad Boxberg- Jennings would rank 5th in the majors if he had enough PA to qualify. er, RH Ernesto Frieri, RH Kevin Jepsen, LH Jeff Beliveau ÊÊ DET—RH Anibal Sanchez (start), RH Joakim Soria, RH Joe Na- OWNING THE RUNNING GAME—Rays and catchers have gunned than, RH Al Alburquerque down 11 of 25 stolen base attempts (44.0 pct.)—best rate in the Grapefruit Sat., April 4 vs. DET, 12:35 p.m. League, and 4th-best rate in the majors…C Curt Casali has thrown out 5 ÊÊ TB—RH Matt Andriese or RH Erasmo Ramirez (start), RH Steve of 7, tied with NYY Brian McCann and DET Alex Avila for the Grapefruit Geltz, RH Brandon Gomes, RH Kirby Yates, LH Jordan Norberto, League lead in caught stealing…meanwhile, Rays baserunners have been RH Jhan Marinez successful in 23 of 27 (85.1 pct.) attempts—2nd-best rate in the majors after ÊÊ DET—RH Alfredo Simon (start), relievers TBA TODAY’S STARTER—RH Jake Odorizzi (5-LF, 15-CF, 28-RF), Harris Jr. (1-RF), Hawkins (1-C), Jaso (30-LF, 66- ÊÊ 2015 Spring: 0-0, 3.12 ERA (8.2-IP, 3-ER) in 3 starts DH), Jennings (55-LF, 26-CF, 6-DH), Kiermaier (85-CF, 6-DH), Lee (22-SS, ÊÊ 2014 with Rays: 11-13, 4.13 ERA (168-IP, 77-ER) in 31 starts 4-DH), Leonard (13-1B), Loney (86-1B, 6-DH), Longoria (93-3B), Mahtook ÊÊ Turned 25 last week…is scheduled to start the third game of the sea- (3-LF, 41-CF, 7-RF), Maile (18-C, 13-DH), Milone (2-CF, 9-RF), Motter (2- son vs. BAL, following Chris Archer and Nathan Karns. 1B, 11-3B, 14-LF, 25-RF), O’Conner (10-C, 7-DH), Paez (2-RF), Powell (8- ÊÊ Makes his fourth official start of the spring, the previous 3 all com- LF, 17-CF), Querecuto (9-2B, 1-DH), Reginatto (4-2B, 6-3B, 4-SS), Rickard ing against the Twins…it’s his sixth start overall, including two minor (3-LF, 6-CF, 5-RF, 1-DH), Rivera (69-C), Robertson (1-3B, 18-SS), Shaffer league starts…his last outing was Saturday against Red Sox minor (18-3B), Simon (6-1B), Souza Jr. (6-1B, 18-CF, 60-RF, 13-DH), Velez (11- leaguers, when he stretched out to 100 pitches (69 strikes) over 7 2B, 10-3B, 6-SS, 17-LF, 3-DH), Wilson (57-C, 9-DH). innings (3-H, 2-R, 0-ER, 1-BB, 8-SO)…also started a minor league intrasquad on March 16. SPRING TRANSACTIONS— ÊÊ In 2014 was named the club’s Rookie of the Year by the Tampa Bay Mar 5 Signed RH Jim Miller to a minor league contract with an invita- Chapter of the BBWAA…also received one-third place vote in the tion to major league spring training. BBWAA voting for AL Rookie of the Year. Mar 10 Signed LH Jonny Venters to a minor league contract. ÊÊ Led all major league rookies with 174 SO, one shy of the club record Mar 12 Reassigned INF Daniel Robertson and OF Boog Powell to mi- held by Matt Moore (2012)…became the second Ray to lead major nor league camp. league rookies in Ks, joining TB Scott Kazmir (also 174) in 2005…also Mar 15 Optioned RH Jose Dominguez and INF Hak-Ju Lee to the mi- led major league rookies with 31 starts and finished 2nd with 168 IP. nor leagues…reassigned RH Dylan Floro, C Luke Maile and LH ÊÊ His 9.32 SO/9 IP was 3rd best all-time among AL rookies, behind TEX Robert Zarate to minor league camp. Yu Darvish (10.40 in 2012) and CLE Herb Score (9.70 in 1955). Mar 16 Optioned INF Ryan Brett, LH and C Justin ÊÊ Had 7 starts in which he didn’t allow a run, tied with teammate Alex O’Conner to the minor leagues. Cobb for 2nd most in the AL behind MIN Kyle Gibson (8)…this tied Mar 19 Optioned OF and LH Enny Romero to the minor for the most ever by an AL rookie, joining TEX Chris Young (2005), leagues…reassigned INF Vince Belnome to minor league camp. BAL Mike Boddicker (1983) and NYY Ron Guidry (1977). Mar 20 Optioned RH Burch Smith to the minor leagues. ÊÊ Had a 2.62 ERA (99.2-IP, 29-ER) in 17 home starts, compared to a Mar 23 Reassigned 1B Allan Dykstra and UTL Taylor Motter to minor 6.32 ERA (68.1-IP, 44-ER) in 14 road starts—the largest home-road league camp. differential in the majors (min. 100 IP)…his road ERA was 2nd high- Mar 26 Reassigned RH Ronald Belisario, RH Andrew Bellatti, RH est in club history among season qualifiers—only Mark Hendrick- Bryce Stowell and INF/OF Eugenio Velez to minor league camp. son (6.53 in 2005) was higher. Mar 30 Reassigned C Mayo Acosta, OF Corey Brown, OF Joey But- ÊÊ His 0.65 GB/FB ratio was 2nd lowest in the majors to SEA Chris Young ler, RH Brandon Gomes, RH Jhan Marinez, RH Jim Miller, LH (0.42)…induced 1 GIDP all season: David Ortiz, Aug 30 vs. BOS. Jordan Norberto, LH Everett Teaford to minor league camp. ÊÊ In his first 12 starts through June 5, went 2-6 with a 5.31 ERA (57.2- Mar 31 Acquired RH Erasmo Ramirez from the Seattle Mariners in ex- IP, 34-ER)…in his last 19 starts, went 9-7, 3.51 (110.1-IP, 43-ER). change for LH Mike Montgomery…released INF Alexi Casilla. ÊÊ Attempted base stealers were just 4-for-10 (40 pct.), 5th toughest to run on in the AL…also had a pair of pickoffs. RETIRING NO. 66—On Opening Day, the Rays will retire No. 66, the last uniform number worn by longtime senior advisor , in a pre- Day-by-Day W/L IP H R ER BB SO HR HB WP Result Don Zimmer 3/6 vs. MIN — 1.0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 W, 2-1 game ceremony…No. 66 signified his 66 years in … 3/11 at MIN — 2.0 4 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 W, 5-2 Zim, who passed away on June 4, 2014, spent 11 years (2004-14) in a Rays *3/16 (MiLB) — 4.0 3 1 0 2 3 0 0 0 — uniform—his most of any of the 14 major league teams that employed him 3/21 vs. MIN 5.2 5 2 2 0 4 0 0 0 W, 4-2 as a player, coach or manager…No. 66 will be displayed high above the **3/28 vs. BOS — 7.0 3 2 0 1 8 0 – – — left-center field wall, where it will join the Rays two other retired numbers: No. 12 ( , retired in 2000) and No. 42 (Zim’s former teammate Totals 0-0 8.2 9 3 3 4 6 0 0 0 Wade Boggs * minor league intrasquad ** minor league game Jackie Robinson, retired by all teams in 1997)…in his first three seasons in the majors, Zim was a teammate of Robinson’s for the Brooklyn Dodgers 2015 SPRING INNINGS PLAYED (“A” GAMES)—Acosta (23-C, 6-DH), (1954-56), and he was the Yankees bench coach for two years while Boggs Araiza (3-C), Beckham (50-2B, 60-SS), Belnome (37-1B), Blair (4-3B, played there (1996-97)…no other team has retired No. 66, or No. 12. 3-SS), Blanchard (3-2B, 2-DH), Brett (22-2B), Brown (33-LF, 36-CF, 9-RF, 11-DH), Butler (33-LF, 48-RF, 15-DH), Cabrera (11-2B, 77-SS, 5-DH), Carter LONGO THE LEADER—The longest-tenured current member of the Rays, (2-RF), Casali (73-C), Casilla (51-2B, 17-3B, 4-SS), Coyle (5-2B), DeJesus 3B Evan Longoria, is the franchise’s career leader with 184 HR, 635 RBI, (29-LF, 27-RF, 20-DH), Dykstra (30-1B, 9-DH), Elmore (3-1B, 23-2B, 33-3B, .494 SLG and 48 sac flies…entering 2015, he needs only 4 2B to breakBen 24-SS, 12-LF, 15-RF), Field (2-LF, 4-CF), Forsythe (21-1B, 43-2B, 14-3B, Zobrist’s club record (229) and 3 extra-base hits to pass Carl Crawford’s 12-DH), Francisco (45-1B, 39-3B, 9-DH), Franklin (23-2B, 28-SS, 12-DH), team mark (424)…he needs 25 hits to reach 1,000 for his career…he also Gantt (1-LF), Goeddel (10-LF), Gotta (4-LF, 3-RF), Guevara (3-SS), Guyer enters 2015 with the majors’ longest active streak of games started, at 169.

2015 SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE DAY DATE OPPONENT SITE R/TV TIME/SCORE W-L WP LP ATT Thu March 5 Baltimore Charlotte County M L, 2-3 0-1-0 Davies (1-0) Zarate (0-1) 4,884 Fri March 6 Minnesota Charlotte County M W, 2-1 1-1-0 Norberto (1-0) Achter (0-1) 4,158 Sat March 7 @Pittsburgh Bradenton R T, 1-1 (10) 1-1-1 — — 8,303 Sun March 8 Philadelphia Charlotte County R L, 4-5 1-2-1 Slowey (2-0) Archer (0-1) 5,837 Mon March 9 @ Tampa L, 3-4 1-3-1 Pineda (1-0) Karns (0-1) 9,821 Tue March 10 Pittsburgh Charlotte County M L, 3-4 1-4-1 Beckman (1-0) Romero (0-1) 3,989 @Boston Fort Myers L, 1-5 1-5-1 Masterson (1-0) Andriese (0-1) 10,156 Wed March 11 @Minnesota Lee County W, 5-2 2-5-1 Dominguez (1-0) Thielbar (0-1) 7,454 Thu March 12 Toronto Charlotte County M W, 10-3 3-5-1 Gomes (1-0) Estrada (0-1) 5,776 Fri March 13 @Philadelphia Clearwater L, 1-2 3-6-1 Biddle (1-0) Archer (0-2) 9,338 Sat March 14 @Baltimore Sarasota R W, 3-2 4-6-1 Karns (1-1) Berry (0-1) 8,219 Sun March 15 New York Mets Charlotte County R W, 8-4 5-6-1 Andriese (1-1) Colon (0-2) 6,363 Mon March 16 OPEN DATE Tue March 17 @Philadelphia Clearwater W, 5-3 6-6-1 Teaford (1-0) Araujo (0-1) 9,572 Wed March 18 @Toronto Dunedin W, 9-3 7-6-1 Archer (1-2) Buehrle (1-1) 5,539 Thu March 19 Minnesota Charlotte County M/T W, 4-2 8-6-1 Karns (2-1) Nolasco (0-1) 4,418 Fri March 20 Toronto Charlotte County M L, 5-11 8-7-1 Norris (1-0) Smith (0-1) 5,225 Sat March 21 Minnesota Charlotte County R W, 4-2 9-7-1 Beliveau (1-0) Achter (0-2) 4,538 Sun March 22 @Toronto Dunedin R L, 0-3 9-8-1 Osuna (1-0) Teaford (1-1) 5,550 Mon March 23 Pittsburgh Charlotte County M L, 6-7 9-9-1 LaFromboise (1-0) Boxberger (0-1) 4,169 Tue March 24 OPEN DATE Wed March 25 @Minnesota Lee County W, 2-1 10-9-1 Riefenhauser (1-0) Thielbar (0-2) 6,164 Thu March 26 New York Yankees Charlotte County M/T W, 6-5 11-9-1 Boxberger (1-1) Martin (0-1) 6,148 Fri March 27 @Baltimore Sarasota —CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN— Sat March 28 Boston Charlotte County R/T L, 6-9 11-10-1 Wright (3-0) Karns (2-2) 7,030 Sun March 29 @Boston Fort Myers R L, 2-3 (10) 11-11-1 Todd (1-0) Thompson (0-1) 9,916 Mon March 30 Baltimore Charlotte Sports Park M T, 6-6 (10) 11-11-2 — — 3,946 Tue March 31 Boston Charlotte County M L, 8-11 — Couch (1-0) Reavis (0-1) 4,991 @Baltimore Sarasota W, 4-3 12-12-2 Teaford (2-1) Gausman (1-2) 5,305 Wed April 1 @New York Yankees Tampa W, 3-0 13-12-2 Norberto (2-0) Whitley (0-1) 9,881 Thu April 2 @Philadelphia Clearwater W, 10-1 14-12-2 Archer (2-2) Williams (0-4) 6,376 Fri April 3 @Detroit Lakeland 1:05 p.m. Sat April 4 Detroit Tropicana Field R/T 12:35 p.m. Home Games in Bold (R) Rays Radio Network (T) Sun Sports (M) MLB.com Radio