SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2015 at BALTIMORE ORIOLES RH Nathan Karns Vs

SLICE OF GRAPEFRUIT—At 3-6-1, the Rays have the third-worst record pct., 4th best among active catchers (min. TODAY’S STARTING LINEUP in the Grapefruit League; only the Braves (3-8) and Orioles (3-9) have 200 games), while the major league aver- 7 David DeJesus (L) RF worse records…today is the sixth of 16 road games this spring…the Rays age over that span is 24.1 pct. 11 Logan Forsythe (R) 3B also play 14 games at Charlotte Sports Park and one home game at Tropi- 13 Asdrubal Cabrera (S) SS cana Field (April 4 vs. DET)…this is the Rays 18th spring in the Grapefruit CLEAN SLATE—The Rays enter their first 28 John Jaso (L) DH League and seventh calling Charlotte Sports Park home…the 2014 Rays season under Manager Kevin Cash, and 44 Rene Rivera (R) C recorded the best spring record in the majors at 16-7-4 (.696), their third also with Matt Silverman at the head of 2 Nick Franklin (S) DH 39 Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF Grapefruit League title in a span of seven seasons (also 2008, 2010). the Baseball Operations department… 1 Tim Beckham (R) 2B Ê Ê Since becoming the Rays in 2008, Silverman assumed his role of President, 83 Jake Elmore (R) 3B the team has recorded at least 15 BEST RECORDS, MLB, Baseball Operations on Oct 14, and he 51 Nathan Karns RHP wins in six out of seven spring train- SPRING TRAINING, 2008-15 hired Cash as the fifth manager in Rays ings—something they never did in 10 Kansas City 131-91 .590 history on Dec 5…they succeeded Joe RAYS IN springs as the Devil Rays…the Rays LA Angels 128-94 .577 Maddon and Andrew Friedman, whose SPRING TRAINING have compiled a 112-92 (.549) spring Detroit 128-97 .569 nine years together made them the lon- 2015 3-6-1 24,644 record during this span, 5th best in NY Yankees 120-98 .550 gest-tenured manager/GM pairing in base- 2014 16-7-4 78,264 Tampa Bay 112-92 .549 the majors (see chart). ball…Cash is the youngest current manag- 2013 15-17-2 90,935 2012 10-16-6 87,916 er or head coach in the major four sports; 2011 15-14-2 95,859 RUN PREVENTION—The Rays lead all major league teams with a 2.25 ERA Celtics head coach Brad Stevens (38) is 2010 20-8-2 97,971 (88-IP, 22-ER)—58 points better than the next lowest (Reds, 2.83) and 78 the runner-up…on Opening Day, Cash (at 2009 15-16-1 103,255 points better than any other Grapefruit League club (Yankees, 3.03)…they 37 years, 120 days) will be the youngest 2008 18-8-2 54,960 have yielded only 3 HR, 2nd fewest in baseball (Cardinals, 2). manager in MLB since ARI A.J. Hinch, 2007 10-19-2 79,044 ÊÊ The Rays have not committed an error in their last 2 games, but their who debuted on May 8, 2009 (34y, 358d). 2006 13-16-1 70,756 16 errors this spring remain tied with the Giants and Mariners for 2005 13-16 61,261 most in the majors. 7 YEARS AS THE RAYS (2008-14)— 2004 11-8 43,916 Since changing their name to the Rays in 2003 8-19-3 51,324 2002 10-16-1 49,043 MARGINS ARE TIGHT—After yesterday’s 2-1 loss to the Phillies in Clear- 2008, the Rays are 627-508 (.552) in the 2001 12-15-1 57,081 water, 5 of the Rays 6 losses this spring have been by one run…the Rays regular season, fourth-best record in the 2000 14-17 67,089 find themselves at 3-6-1 despite outscoring their opponents, 32-30…the majors after the Yankees (.571), Angels 1999 14-14-1 59,230 Rays have allowed the fewest runs in the majors, while the offense has (.554) and Cardinals (.554)…the Rays 1998 12-18 66,781 scored the 3rd fewest, ahead of the Phillies (31) and Pirates (26). have won 90-plus games five times, most Total 229-250-29 1,239,689 ÊÊ The Rays are batting .221 as a team, 2nd-lowest mark in the majors in the majors in this span…they have ad- (Phillies .215)…they also have the majors’ 2nd-lowest OBP (.273). vanced to the postseason four times; only ÊÊ The Rays scored their lone run in the 1st inning yesterday, on an the Cardinals (five) have been more often. RBI single by Evan Longoria—the first time all spring the Rays had ÊÊ The Rays pitching staff has allowed only 4,536 runs, fewest by an scored in the first 3 innings of a game…on a similar note, 30 of their AL team over a span of seven full seasons since 1974-80 (Orioles 32 total runs this spring have come in the 5th inning or later. 4,271; Yankees 4,353)…they have thrown 96 shutouts, most by an AL team over a seven-year span since the 1975-81 Yankees (also LEANING LEFT—LH Brian Matusz today is the fourth consecutive left- 96)…they achieved all this while starting a pitcher under the age of handed starter the Rays have faced…including him, the Rays have faced a 30 in 93.5 pct. of their games (1,062 of 1,135). southpaw starter in 7 of their first 11 games. RAYS ON THE RADIO—Today is the third of 9 games this spring airing on MINOR MATTERS—Tomorrow, a minor league intrasquad game will be the Rays Radio Network…10 additional games are airing on MLB.com… held at 11 a.m. …scheduled to pitch in that game are RH Kevin Jepsen, broadcasters Andy Freed and Dave Wills are entering their 11th season RH Ernesto Frieri, RH Brad Boxberger, RH Brandon Gomes and LH together in the Rays booth…among all 30 major league broadcast teams, Jeff Believeau, while Rene Rivera is scheduled to catch…on Monday, RH only three have a longer tenured radio broadcast duo: Jake Odorizzi will pitch in a minor league intrasquad game at 10 a.m. ÊÊ Tigers—Dan Dickerson & Jim Price entering 13th season together ÊÊ Orioles—Joe Angel & Fred Manfra entering 12th season together RAYS vs. ORIOLES—Today is the second of 5 games scheduled this ÊÊ Giants—Jon Miller & Dave Flemming entering 12th season together spring between the AL East rivals, and first of 3 at Ed Smith Stadium… the Rays opened their Grapefruit League season against them at home on WELCOME TO PARADISE—In 2014, readers of USA Today voted Char- March 5, losing 3-2…in spring 2014, the Rays went 2-1-2 vs. Baltimore, but lotte Sports Park their favorite spring training destination in all of baseball… were 2-0 at Ed Smith Stadium…in fact, the Rays haven’t lost in this ballpark those visitors accounted for an economic impact value of nearly $21 million since March 1, 2011—they are 4-0-2 here since then. for Charlotte County in 2014, according to data supplied by the Charlotte ÊÊ In the 2014 regular season, the Rays went 7-12 against the Orioles— Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau. their worst mark since 2006 (6-13)…they lost their first 5 games, then went 7-7 after that…they were 3-6 at home, 4-6 at Camden Yards. RAYS PROSPECTS vs. CANADA—As part of the Fifth Annual St. Peters- ÊÊ The Orioles come to Tropicana Field on Opening Day (April 6)…it will burg International Baseball Series, a team of Rays prospects will host the be the seventh time the clubs have met on Opening Day (2-4)—the Canadian Junior National Team at Tropicana Field on Sunday, March 22 at Rays most frequent opponent—and the sixth time in the past 10 years. 1:05 p.m. …priced at $10, tickets are available at the Tropicana Field box office and Ticketmaster outlets…parking will be $5…gates open at noon. YESTERDAY—The Rays fell to the Phillies, 2-1, in a crisp 2 hours, 22 minutes…it was their first of 3 games in Clearwater this spring…RH Chris Ar- VIDEO ON A SILVER PLATTER—The Rays provide a daily postgame cher took the loss, with both runs scoring on a 1B Ryan Howard homer in video feed of all 16 non-televised spring training games…this will include the 4th inning…Archer totaled 3.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R/ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR, 50 about two minutes of highlights plus two short interviews…video should be pitches, 35 strikes…3B Evan Longoria’s RBI single scored SS Asdrubal uploaded by 5:15 p.m. …to receive email updates or for more information, Cabrera in the 1st inning for the Rays lone run…Longoria recorded 2 of the contact Chris Tilley ([email protected] or 727-434-0497). club’s 4 hits, adding another single in the 6th…five Rays relievers combined for 4.2 scoreless frames behind Archer. UPCOMING PROBABLES—Today at BAL ÊÊ TB—RH Nathan Karns (start), RH Jose Dominguez, RH Steven NEW LOOK—Today John Jaso will play his second game in the outfield Geltz, RH Jhan Marinez, LH Robert Zarate, LH C.J. Riefenhauser as a professional…his debut came on Tues vs. PIT, also in LF…prior to ÊÊ BAL—LH Brian Matusz (start), RH Darren O’Day, LH Tim Berry this, Jaso estimates his last outfield appearance came as a freshman or Sun., March 15 vs. NYM, 1:05 p.m. sophomore in high school…in the regular season, Jaso has played only 2 ÊÊ TB—RH Matt Andriese (start), RH Kevin Jepsen, RH Ernesto Frieri, games in the field away from catcher, both at 1B (2010 and 2013)…his last RH Brad Boxberger, RH Burch Smith two seasons have ended prematurely due to concussion-like symptoms. ÊÊ NYM—RH Bartolo Colon (start), RH Jon Velasquez, RH Erik Goed- del, RH Gabriel Ynoa, RH Matt Bowman DON’T RUN ON RENE—In 2014 with the Padres, C Rene Rivera led all Tues., March 17 at PHI, 1:05 p.m. major league catchers with 29 runners caught stealing and ranked 4th with ÊÊ TB—RH Alex Cobb (start), relievers TBA a 33.3 pct. eraser rate (29 of 87)…during his career, has thrown out 33.6 ÊÊ PHI—TBA TODAY’S RAYS STARTER—RH Nathan Karns ÊÊ 2015 Spring: 0-1, 1.80 ERA (5-IP, 1-ER) in 2 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 third start of the spring…on Mon at NYY, he took the loss Kevin Cash available (manager’s office) 9:15 a.m. to Michael Pineda after totaling 3 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 50 Rays stretch 9:30 a.m. pitches…started the Rays opener on March 5 vs. BAL, throwing just 21 Rays batting practice 10:15 a.m. pitches over 2 IP and facing the minimum. Visitors batting practice 11:15 a.m. ÊÊ Competing for the fifth starter job…27-year-old is the second oldest of 11 starting pitchers on the Rays 40-man roster, just seven weeks young- 2015 Rays Media Guides are available digitally on RaysPressbox.com er than Alex Cobb…didn’t make his pro debut until June 20, 2011, more and MLBPressbox.com…see a member of the Communications staff to than two years after he was drafted, due to shoulder surgery. request a hard copy. ÊÊ Enters 2015 rated by Baseball America as the No. 7 prospect in the Parking is available to media on the grass directly behind the paved lots Rays system and No. 2 pitching prospect behind Alex Colome…the of the main ballpark entrance...media parking is free to those with spring publication also recognized him as Best Curveball in the organization. training credentials...please see the Communications staff for a pass if ÊÊ Made 2 starts for the Rays last September…in his Rays debut, Sep 12 you plan to cover a large number of games. at TOR, earned his first career victory, 1-0 over J.A. Happ…totaled 7 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 SO…became the first in club history to go 7-plus Rays Clubhouse will open at 8 a.m. on most days and close at 9 a.m. IP and allow 2 H or fewer in his Rays debut…tied Steve Trachsel for …it will re-open after workouts and batting practice on game days and the longest scoreless outing in a Rays debut. when necessary in-game. 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 Media Workroom (in addition to the press box) is located at Charlotte 13 times, and yielded 5 ER or more 10 times. Sports Park on the first floor of the building located beyond the right field ÊÊ Led all Rays minor leaguers with 153 SO and tied Rochester’s (Twins) fence that houses the Rays clubhouse and executive offices. Alex Meyer for most among Triple-A pitchers. Media Dining is located behind the press box...the Rays serve a meal Ê Ê Named the Rays Minor League Pitcher of the Month for May and July prior to all home games at Charlotte Sports Park at a cost of $8. 2014…his ERA by month for Durham: April 8.20…May 1.39…June 10.55…July 1.62…August 6.19. Daily Credentials must be requested at credentials.mlb.com at least 24 hours in advance…credentials can be picked up at the reception desk Day-by-Day W/L IP H R ER BB SO HR HB WP Result located in the entrance of the Rays Clubhouse Building until 3 hours 3/5 vs. BAL — 2.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 L, 2-3 before first pitch, after which point they must be picked up at Guest Ser- 3/9 at NYY L-2 3.0 2 2 1 1 1 0 0 0 L, 3-4 vices near the box office. 2015 SPRING INNINGS PLAYED (“A” GAMES)—Acosta (7-C, 3-DH), RAYSPRESSBOX.COM & TWITTER Beckham (13-2B, 13-SS), Belnome (19-1B), Brett (18-2B), Brown (24-LF, RaysPressbox.com is a private, media-only website that serves as a 1-RF, 2-DH), Butler (4-LF, 21-RF, 9-DH), Cabrera (11-2B, 15-SS, 5-DH), central location for all Rays media information. Content includes 2015 Carter (2-RF), Casali (19-C), Casilla (19-2B, 8-3B), Coyle (3-2B), DeJesus Media Guide PDF files, press releases, game notes, statistics and other (13-LF, 12-RF), Dykstra (17-1B), Elmore (11-2B, 3-3B, 8-SS, 6-RF), Forsythe gameday documents as well as daily audio and video clips. (6-1B, 3-2B, 14-3B, 6-DH), Francisco (13-1B, 10-3B, 1-DH), Franklin (14-2B, Username: media | Password: r@ys2015 14-SS), Gantt (1-LF), Guyer (5-LF), Jaso (6-LF, 23-DH), Jennings (17-LF, 11- Media are also encouraged to follow the private @RaysPressbox CF), Kiermaier (27-CF, 6-DH), Lee (18-SS, 4-DH), Loney (28-1B), Longoria Twitter account to be notified of all media alerts. (29-3B), Mahtook (3-LF, 24-CF, 1-RF), Maile (10-C, 13-DH), Motter (1-1B, 2-3B, 9-LF, 13-RF), O’Conner (10-C, 7-DH), Powell (6-LF, 15-CF), Rickard (3- RAYS COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT INFO LF), Rivera (22-C), Robertson (1-3B, 12-SS), Shaffer (7-3B), Souza Jr. (3-1B, Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Rd., Port Charlotte, FL 33948 10-CF, 22-RF), Velez (9-3B, 6-SS, 5-LF), Wilson (18-C, 9-DH). Main Number, Rays Office (941) 235-5025 SPRING TRANSACTIONS— Communications Department (941) 235-5044 Mar 5 Signed RH Jim Miller to a minor league contract with an invitation Press Box (941) 235-5082 to major league spring training. Rick Vaughn, Vice President [email protected] Mar 10 Signed LH Jonny Venters to a minor league contract. Cell – (727) 439-0671 Mar 12 Reassigned INF Daniel Robertson and OF Boog Powell to minor Dave Haller, Sr. Director [email protected] league camp. Cell – (727) 773-6904 Carli Todd, Sr. Coordinator [email protected] (handles credential requests) Cell – (732) 606-3915 Dukes Knutson, Press Box Attendant

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 1:05 p.m. Sun March 15 New York Mets Charlotte County R 1:05 p.m. Mon March 16 OPEN DATE Tue March 17 @Philadelphia Clearwater 1:05 p.m. Wed March 18 @Toronto Dunedin 1:07 p.m. 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