THURSDAY, MARCH 19, 2015 Vs. MINNESOTA TWINS RH Nathan Karns Vs

Home , Andy Sonnanstine, Ceremonial first pitch, Curt Casali, Doug Waechter, Gary Glover, Jeff Beliveau

FIRST PITCH—Jim Perry will deliver today’s ceremonial first pitch…over 17 home, 3-0 at Target Field) and are TODAY’S STARTING LINEUP major league seasons with the Indians (1958-63, 1974-75), Twins (1963-72), 15-4 over the past three seasons… 7 David DeJesus (L) LF Tigers (1973) and A’s (1975), he was a three-time American League All-Star they have not had a losing season 44 Rene Rivera (R) DH and won the 1970 AL Cy Young Award after going 24-12 with a 3.04 ERA. vs. the Twins since 2006 (1-6). 13 Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS 3 Evan Longoria (R) 3B RAYS ON THE TUBE—Today is the first of four spring training games YESTERDAY’S ACTION—The Rays 61 Juan Francisco (L) 1B broadcast live by Sun Sports…they will also air March 26 vs. NYY, March cruised to a 9-3 victory at Dunedin over 11 Logan Forsythe (R) 2B 20 Steven Souza Jr. (R) CF 28 vs. BOS and April 4 vs. DET (from Tropicana Field)…Dewayne Sta- the Blue Jays, banging out 15 hits to tie 19 Curt Casali (R) C ats is in the booth today, with Todd Kalas providing in-game updates… their spring high (March 12 vs. TOR)…the 83 Jake Elmore (R) RF in the regular season, Sun Sports will air 150 games, with half-hour Rays Rays also hit 4 HR—all solo homers by 51 Nathan Karns RHP LIVE pregame shows and extended postgame coverage for each game… 3B Evan Longoria, 1B James Loney, 3B Dewayne Staats, Brian Anderson, Todd Kalas, Orestes Destrade and Richie Shaffer and C Curt Casali—their RAYS IN Rich Hollenberg all return, while the additions of newcomers Emily Austen most in a spring game since April 1, 2012 SPRING TRAINING and Doug Waechter were recently announced. at BAL when Desmond Jennings hit 3 2015 7-6-1 31,007 and Evan Longoria hit one…between 2014 16-7-4 78,264 HOT STOVE TONIGHT—OF Kevin Kiermaier and hitting coach Derek Longoria and Shaffer, the No. 4 spot in the 2013 15-17-2 90,935 2012 10-16-6 87,916 Shelton will be guests on this week’s edition of the Hot Stove radio show, lineup combined to go 4-for-5 with 2 HR, 1 2011 15-14-2 95,859 airing on WDAE 620 AM from 7 to 8 p.m. tonight live from Hooters (1360 2B and 4 RBI…the Rays batted around in 2010 20-8-2 97,971 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33948)…hosts Dave Wills and Andy the 9th inning, scoring 4 runs as they sent 2009 15-16-1 103,255 Freed will be joined by Neil Solondz. 10 batters to the plate…starter RH Chris 2008 18-8-2 54,960 ÊÊ Neil Solondz and Andy Sonnanstine are in the radio booth today, Archer threw 4 scoreless frames (1-H, 2007 10-19-2 79,044 the fifth of 10 Rays games this spring airing on MLB.com. 3-BB, 3-SO, 1-WP) on 67 pitches, 41 2006 13-16-1 70,756 strikes…RH Andrew Bellatti, LH Jeff Be- 2005 13-16 61,261 SURGE OF OFFENSE—The Rays have won 6 of their last 7 games to re- liveau, RH Jim Miller and RH Brandon 2004 11-8 43,916 claim a winning record (7-6-1) after going 1-5-1 in their first 7 games…this Gomes each followed with a scoreless 2003 8-19-3 51,324 2002 10-16-1 49,043 hot stretch began with a 5-2 win March 11 at MIN…in the last 7 games, the frame…the Rays entered the 9th having 2001 12-15-1 57,081 Rays are batting .291 (73-for-251) with 41 runs scored (5.9 per game) and allowed no runs on 2 hits before RH Jhan 2000 14-17 67,089 13 HR…in the first 7 games, the Rays offense hit just .188 (42-for-224) with Marinez yielded 3 runs in the 9th. 1999 14-14-1 59,230 2 HR and 16 runs scored (2.3 R/G). ÊÊ In their 2 games vs. the Blue Jays 1998 12-18 66,781 ÊÊ The Rays have hit 7 HR over the last 2 games, 6 of them solo shots. this spring, the Rays offense has Total 233-250-29 1,246,052 ÊÊ Seven of the Rays first 14 games have been decided by one run (2- hit .375 (30-for-80) with 19 runs 5), and one ended in a tie (March 7 at PIT). scored, 6 HR, 5 2B and a .663 SLG. ÊÊ INF Logan Forsythe is tied for the Grapefruit League lead with 3 HR. BASEBALL GALA—Tomorrow, the BaseBALL Gala, benefiting the Boys RUN PREVENTION—The Rays lead all major league teams with a 2.32 ERA and Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, will be held at the Charlotte Harbor (124-IP, 32-ER)—30 points better than any other club (Yankees, 2.62)…their Event and Conference Center…Rays in attendance will include Manager 6 HR allowed are 2nd fewest in baseball to the Cardinals (4). Kevin Cash and the coaching staff, LH Jake McGee, RH Kevin Jepsen, ÊÊ The Rays have committed 20 errors this spring, most in the Grape- OF Steven Souza Jr. and LH Jeff Beliveau…the event starts at 5:30 p.m. fruit League. RIDE TO RECOVERY—On Saturday, Rays alumni Trever Miller, Mike SLICE OF GRAPEFRUIT—Today begins a stretch of 3 consecutive home DiFelice and Travis Phelps will be on hand as the Rays will host Honor games, their first since Sun vs. NYM…today is the seventh of 14home Ride Florida’s Ride to Recovery at Tropicana Field…it’s a series of races games at Charlotte Sports Park…the Rays also play 16 road games this designed to raise funds to support Project Hero programs (these programs spring and one home game at Tropicana Field (April 4 vs. DET)…this is the provide training and supports cycling programs at military hospitals and VA Rays 18th spring in the Grapefruit League and seventh calling Charlotte locations to help Healing Heroes overcome obstacles they face throughout Sports Park home…the 2014 Rays recorded the best spring record in the the US.)…Miller will be riding in the 40-mile race. majors at 16-7-4 (.696), their third Grapefruit League title in a span of 7 seasons (also 2008, 2010). RAYS PROSPECTS vs. CANADA—As part of the Fifth Annual St. Peters- ÊÊ Since becoming the Rays in 2008, the team has recorded at least 15 burg International Baseball Series, a team of Rays prospects will host the wins in six out of seven spring trainings—something they never did Canadian Junior National Team at Tropicana Field on Sunday, March 22 at in 10 springs as the Devil Rays…they 1:05 p.m. …priced at $10, tickets are available at the Tropicana Field box BEST RECORDS, MLB, can extend this streak by winning at office and Ticketmaster outlets…parking will be $5…gates open at noon. SPRING TRAINING, 2008-15 least 8 of their remaining 17 games… Kansas City 132-95 .581 the Rays have compiled a 116-92 LA Angels 131-96 .577 NON-ROSTER INVITES TO MAKE RAYS OPENING DAY ROSTER— (.558) spring record during this span, Tampa Bay 116-92 .558 1998 RH Rolando Arrojo best in the Grapefruit League and 4th Detroit 128-103 .554 2000 RH Dave Eiland, INF Herbert Perry best in the majors (see chart). NY Yankees 123-100 .552 2001 RH Ken Hill 2003 OF Rocco Baldelli, LH Jim Parque, RH Steve Parris MEDICAL MATTERS—RH Alex Cobb exited Tuesday’s game in Clear- 2005 OF Chris Singleton, RH Hideo Nomo water after 3 perfect innings with tightness in his right forearm, which was 2006 RH Jason Childers, RH Ruddy Lugo, INF Luis Ordaz shown to be tendinitis in an MRI that night…he will not throw for a week and 2007 RH Gary Glover, 1B Carlos Peña, RH Al Reyes will then be reevaluated, but is no longer expected to start on Opening Day. 2008 INF/OF Eric Hinske ÊÊ LH Drew Smyly played catch yesterday from 100 feet. 2011 RH Juan Cruz ÊÊ RH Alex Colome (pneumonia) was released from the hospital yes- 2013 1B/OF Shelley Duncan, RH Jamey Wright terday…he will come to the complex today, but will not work out yet. ÊÊ OF Brandon Guyer (oblique) returned to the lineup yesterday in UPCOMING PROBABLES—Today vs. MIN Dunedin, and all reports were positive. ÊÊ TB—RH Nathan Karns (start), RH Kevin Jepsen, RH Brad Boxberg- ÊÊ RH Grant Balfour (missed time for family reasons) threw 30 pitches er, LH Jordan Norberto, RH Kirby Yates in his first live BP on Tuesday…he will throw live BP again tomorrow. ÊÊ MIN—RH Ricky Nolasco (start), RH Alex Meyer, RH A.J. Achter, RH Tim Stauffer RAYS vs. TWINS—The Rays are 2-0 vs. the Twins this spring, and could Fri., March 20 vs. TOR, 1:05 p.m. clinch the “Knutson Classic” with a win today…the Rays won 5-2 at Ham- ÊÊ TB—RH Burch Smith (start), RH Ernesto Frieri, RH Matt Andriese mond Stadium on March 11, and won 2-1 at home on March 6…the Twins ÊÊ TOR—LH Daniel Norris (start), RH Marco Estrada, RH Chad Jen- return here on Saturday, and the Rays travel to Fort Myers on Wednesday… kins, RH Liam Hendriks, RH Roberto Osuna as the 2014 and 2013 winners of the Knutson Classic—named for Rays Sat., March 21 vs. MIN, 1:05 p.m. press box attendant and Minnesota native Dukes Knutson—the Rays seek ÊÊ TB—RH Jake Odorizzi (start), LH Jeff Beliveau, RH Brandon Gomes to keep the Dukes Cup in their possession for a third straight year…they went ÊÊ MIN—RH Trevor May (start), RH Mark Hamburger, RH Ryan Press- 4-0 in 2014, 3-2 in 2013 and 3-5-1 in 2012. ly, LH Aaron Thompson ÊÊ In the regular season, the Rays went 4-2 vs. the Twins in 2014 (1-2 at TODAY’S RAYS STARTER—RH Nathan Karns ÊÊ 2015 Spring: 1-1, 1.00 ERA (9-IP, 1-ER) in 3 starts CHARLOTTE SPORTS PARK MEDIA INFORMATION Ê Ê 2014 with Rays: 1-1, 4.50 ERA (12-IP, 6-ER) in 2 starts Pregame Media Schedule (all 1:05 games) Ê Ê 2014 with Durham (AAA): 9-9, 5.08 ERA (145.1-IP, 82-ER) in 27 starts Clubhouse opens to media 8:00 a.m. Ê Ê Makes his fourth start of the spring…enters today tied for 3rd in the Kevin Cash available (manager’s office) 9:15 a.m. Grapefruit League with a 1.00 ERA…on Sat at BAL, threw 4 perfect Rays stretch 9:30 a.m. frames on 53 pitches (33 strikes) to earn the win. Rays batting practice 10:15 a.m. Ê Ê Started the Rays opener on March 6 vs. BAL, throwing just 21 pitch- Visitors batting practice 11:15 a.m. es over 2 IP and facing the minimum. ÊÊ Competing for a rotation spot…27-year-old is the second oldest of 2015 Rays Media Guides are available digitally on RaysPressbox.com 11 starting pitchers on the Rays 40-man roster, just seven weeks and MLBPressbox.com…see a member of the Communications staff to younger than Alex Cobb…made his pro debut June 20, 2011, more request a hard copy. than two years after he was drafted, due to shoulder surgery. Parking is available to media on the grass directly behind the paved lots ÊÊ Enters 2015 rated by Baseball America as the No. 7 prospect in the of the main ballpark entrance...media parking is free to those with spring Rays system and No. 2 pitching prospect behind Alex Colome…the training credentials...please see the Communications staff for a pass if publication also recognized him as Best Curveball in the organization. you plan to cover a large number of games. ÊÊ In 2014 made a career-high 30 starts between Durham (regular and postseason) and the Rays…in those 30 starts, allowed 1 ER or fewer Rays Clubhouse will open at 8 a.m. on most days and close at 9 a.m. 13 times, and yielded 5 ER or more 10 times. …it will re-open after workouts and batting practice on game days and ÊÊ Led all Rays minor leaguers with 153 SO and tied Rochester’s when necessary in-game. (Twins) Alex Meyer for most among Triple-A pitchers. ÊÊ Named the Rays Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May and July Media Workroom (in addition to the press box) is located at Charlotte 2014…his ERA by month for Durham: April 8.20…May 1.39…June Sports Park on the first floor of the building located beyond the right field 10.55…July 1.62…August 6.19. fence that houses the Rays clubhouse and executive offices. Day-by-Day W/L IP H R ER BB SO HR HB WP Result Media Dining is located behind the press box...the Rays serve a meal 3/5 vs. BAL — 2.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 L, 2-3 prior to all home games at Charlotte Sports Park at a cost of $8. 3/9 at NYY L-1 3.0 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 L, 3-4 Daily Credentials must be requested at credentials.mlb.com at least 24 3/14 at BAL W-1 4.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 W, 3-2 hours in advance…credentials can be picked up at the reception desk Totals 1-1 9.0 3 2 1 2 4 0 0 0 located in the entrance of the Rays Clubhouse Building until 3 hours before first pitch, after which point they must be picked up at Guest Ser- 2015 SPRING INNINGS PLAYED (“A” GAMES)—Acosta (7-C, 3-DH), vices near the box office. Araiza (1-C), Beckham (22-2B, 20-SS), Belnome (32-1B), Brett (22-2B), Brown (24-LF, 7-CF, 5-RF, 2-DH), Butler (9-LF, 26-RF, 15-DH), Cabrera RAYSPRESSBOX.COM & TWITTER (11-2B, 22-SS, 5-DH), Carter (2-RF), Casali (26-C), Casilla (29-2B, 8-3B, RaysPressbox.com is a private, media-only website that serves as a 4-SS), Coyle (3-2B), DeJesus (17-LF, 21-RF), Dykstra (22-1B, 5-DH), El- central location for all Rays media information. Content includes 2015 more (18-2B, 6-3B, 8-SS, 12-LF, 6-RF), Forsythe (8-1B, 3-2B, 14-3B, 12- Media Guide PDF files, press releases, game notes, statistics and other DH), Francisco (13-1B, 19-3B, 1-DH), Franklin (14-2B, 28-SS, 9-DH), Gantt gameday documents as well as daily audio and video clips. (1-LF), Guyer (5-LF, 4-CF), Jaso (11-LF, 32-DH), Jennings (20-LF, 11-CF), Username: media | Password: r@ys2015 Kiermaier (36-CF, 6-DH), Lee (22-SS, 4-DH), Loney (41-1B), Longoria (42- Media are also encouraged to follow the private @RaysPressbox 3B), Mahtook (3-LF, 36-CF, 7-RF), Maile (14-C, 13-DH), Motter (1-1B, 8-3B, Twitter account to be notified of all media alerts. 12-LF, 20-RF), O’Conner (10-C, 7-DH), Powell (6-LF, 15-CF), Rickard (3- LF), Rivera (32-C), Robertson (1-3B, 12-SS), Shaffer (12-3B), Souza Jr. RAYS COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT INFO (6-1B, 14-CF, 27-RF), Velez (6-2B, 9-3B, 6-SS, 9-LF), Wilson (32-C, 9-DH). Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Rd., Port Charlotte, FL 33948

SPRING TRANSACTIONS— Main Number, Rays Office (941) 235-5025 Mar 5 Signed RH Jim Miller to a minor league contract with an invita- Communications Department (941) 235-5044 tion to major league spring training. Press Box (941) 235-5082 Mar 10 Signed LH Jonny Venters to a minor league contract. Rick Vaughn, Vice President [email protected] Mar 12 Reassigned INF Daniel Robertson and OF Boog Powell to mi- Cell – (727) 439-0671 nor league camp. Dave Haller, Sr. Director [email protected] Mar 15 Optioned RH Jose Dominguez and INF Hak-Ju Lee to the mi- Cell – (727) 773-6904 nor leagues…reassigned RH Dylan Floro, C Luke Maile and LH Carli Todd, Sr. Coordinator [email protected] Robert Zarate to minor league camp. (handles credential requests) Cell – (732) 606-3915 Mar 16 Optioned INF Ryan Brett, LH Grayson Garvin and C Justin Dukes Knutson, Press Box Attendant O’Conner to the minor leagues.

2015 TAMPA BAY RAYS 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 @New York Yankees 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 1:05 p.m. Fri March 20 Toronto Charlotte County M 1:05 p.m. Sat March 21 Minnesota Charlotte County R 1:05 p.m. Sun March 22 @Toronto Dunedin R 12:37 p.m. Mon March 23 Pittsburgh Charlotte County M 1:05 p.m. Tue March 24 OPEN DATE Wed March 25 @Minnesota Lee County 1:05 p.m. Thu March 26 New York Yankees Charlotte County M/T 1:05 p.m. Fri March 27 @Baltimore Sarasota 1:05 p.m. Sat March 28 Boston Charlotte County R/T 1:05 p.m. Sun March 29 @Boston Fort Myers R 1:05 p.m. Mon March 30 Baltimore Charlotte Sports Park M 1:05 p.m. Tue March 31 Boston Charlotte Sports Park M 1:05 p.m. @Baltimore Sarasota 1:05 p.m. Wed April 1 @New York Yankees Tampa 1:05 p.m. Thu April 2 @Philadelphia Clearwater 1:05 p.m. 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