FRIDAY, MARCH 4, 2016 at BOSTON RED SOX RH Chris Archer Vs

BASEBALL IS BACK—Today is the Rays BEST RECORD, MLB, (1976, 1978, 1987), ATL Phil Niekro TODAY’S STARTING LINEUP third of 29 games on the Grapefruit League SPRING TRAINING, 2008-16 (1977) and PHI Steve Carlton (1983)… 27 Mikie Mahtook (R) RF schedule, and first of 15 road games…not W-L-T Pct. also BOS Roger Clemens (1996) and 39 Kevin Kiermaier (L) CF included is the March 22 game in Havana, Royals 141-102 .580 MIL Ben Sheets (2004). 3 Evan Longoria (R) 3B Cuba, against the Cuban National Team… Angels 140-104 .574 10 Corey Dickerson (L) LF the schedule includes two split-squad Rays 125-100 .556 OVERHEARD—In an ESPN.com profile 7 Logan Morrison (L) DH days: March 13 (vs. BOS, at TOR) and Cardinals 122-100 .550 on RH Chris Archer published earlier 21 James Loney (L) 1B Tigers 136-113 .546 1 Tim Beckham (R) 2B April 1 (at ATL, at DET). this week, Rays pitching coach Jim Hick- 38 Taylor Motter (R) SS Ê Ê This is the Rays 19th spring in the ey told Jayson Stark: “One of the things 24 Hank Conger (R) C Grapefruit League and eighth calling Charlotte Sports Park home… that makes him special, and makes him 22 Chris Archer RHP since becoming the Rays in 2008, the team has recorded at least a lot like James Shields was and David 15 wins in seven out of eight spring trainings…they never achieved Price was, was because they wanted to RAYS IN this in 10 springs as the Devil Rays…the Rays have compiled a be That Guy. They wanted to be the best SPRING TRAINING 125-100 (.556) spring record during this span, 3rd best in the majors performer. They wanted to be the leader. W-L-T Att. (see chart)…the Rays are three-time Grapefruit League champions But they were also willing to pay the price. 2016 1-1-0 7,590 2015 15-13-2 80,406 (2008, 2010, 2014). You know, a lot of guys might say they 2014 16-7-4 78,264 want to be That Guy, but they’re not will- 2013 15-17-2 90,935 PLANNING YOUR DAY—Today the Rays clubhouse at Charlotte Sports ing to pay the price. And I think that all 2012 10-16-6 87,916 Park will be open to media from 7:45–8:45 a.m. …stretch is at 8:45, and started with Shields here. And David cer- 2011 15-14-2 95,859 the club will take batting practice before heading to JetBlue Park (bus is tainly carried it on. And now Chris is doing 2010 20-8-2 97,971 at 10:45)…Kevin Cash will be available in the manager’s office at 11:45. the same thing.” 2009 15-16-1 103,255 ÊÊ On Saturday, the Rays clubhouse at Charlotte Sports Park will be 2008 18-8-2 54,960 open to media from 1–2:00 p.m., with a 2:00 stretch for players not TICKET INFO—Spring training tickets 2007 10-19-2 79,044 making the trip to Sarasota…the bus is at 3:00…Cash will be avail- are available online at raysbaseball.com, 2006 13-16-1 70,756 2005 13-16 61,261 able in the manager’s office around 5:00. by phone at 888-FAN-RAYS or in person 2004 11-8 43,916 at the Charlotte Sports Park Box Office… 2003 8-19-3 51,324 RAYS vs. RED SOX—Today is the first of 5 games between the AL East the Charlotte Sports Park box office 2002 10-16-1 49,043 rivals this spring…the first 2 are at Jet Blue Park (also Mon, March 7), and opens at 10 a.m. 2001 12-15-1 57,081 the last 3 are at Charlotte Sports Park (March 13, March 18, March 30)… 2000 14-17 67,089 last spring, the Rays went 0-4 against the Red Sox. ROLL CALL—All 64 players have re- 1999 14-14-1 59,230 ÊÊ The Rays have gone 10-9 vs. Boston in regular-season play in each ported to camp, consisting of 33 P, 7 C, 1998 12-18 66,781 of the last two years…last year they went 4-5 at home, and 6-4 at 14 INF and 10 OF…23 are non-roster Total 242-258-30 1,303,041 Fenway Park…since becoming the Rays in 2008, they’ve only lost invites…seven players on the 40-man one season series to Boston (7-12 in 2013) as they’ve compiled a roster joined the organization since the BEST RECORD, MLB, 78-69 record during that span. end of the 2015 regular season, five of REGULAR SEASON, 2008-15 W-L-T Pct. Ê Ê The Rays will play the Red Sox only 3 times in their first 74 games: those via trade…19 players on the 40- Yankees 735-561 .567 April 19-21 at Fenway Park…Boston doesn’t travel to St. Pete un- man roster were acquired via trade… Cardinals 728-568 .562 til June 27-29, the latest in the year they’ve made their first visit to only six players on the current 40-man Angels 713-583 .550 Tropicana Field since 2007 (July 27-29). roster made their Rays debut prior to Rays 707-590 .545 2013: 3B Evan Longoria, OF Desmond Dodgers 705-590 .544 RAYS 10, ORIOLES 3—Yesterday the Rays recorded their first victory of Jennings, RH Alex Cobb, OF Brandon the spring, beating the Orioles, 10-3, at Charlotte Sports Park…starter RH Guyer, LH Matt Moore and RH Chris Erasmo Ramirez earned the win on 2 scoreless innings in his spring debut, Archer. including a 7-pitch 2nd (1-H, 3-SO)…the Rays 17 hits were 3 shy of their spring record (20) in the Rays era, and 9 of those went for extra bases (7- NEW TO THE 40-MAN ROSTER (8)— 2B, 2-HR)…LF Desmond Jennings collected 2 2B and 2 RBI...SS Brad ÊÊ Signed as Free Agent (2): INF/OF Steve Pearce, RH Ryan Webb Miller recorded 2 hits and 1 RBI, and scored the Rays first run…DHCorey ÊÊ Acquired in Trades (5): C Hank Conger, OF Corey Dickerson, RH Dickerson hit a 2-run HR off RH Miguel Gonzalez onto the roof of the Rays Danny Farquhar, INF Brad Miller, 1B/OF Logan Morrison minor league clubhouse building…the ball came to rest 569 feet from home ÊÊ Claimed off Waivers (1): RH Chase Whitley plate, estimated by the Rays Communications dept. …CF Brandon Guyer hit a solo homer off RH Dylan Bundy…RF Jaff Decker went 2-for-3 with 2 KEY LOSSES (11)— doubles…RH Matt Andriese (2.0-IP), RH Ryan Webb (1.0-IP), RH Danny ÊÊ Free Agent (5): SS Asdrubal Cabrera, RH Brandon Gomes, DH Farquhar (1.0-IP) and RH Jaime Schultz (1.0-IP) worked scoreless apps. John Jaso, OF Daniel Nava, OF Grady Sizemore ÊÊ The three starting outfielders (Jennings, Guyer, Decker) went a com- ÊÊ Traded (4): RH Nathan Karns, LH Jake McGee, LH C.J. Riefenhaus- bined 7-for-8 with 4 2B, 1 HR, 5 RBI and 5 runs scored. er, RH Kirby Yates ÊÊ Released (1): C J.P. Arencibia IT’S EARLY, BUT…—OF Desmond Jennings is tied for the major league ÊÊ Waived (1): OF Joey Butler lead with 3 doubles (with TOR Darwin Barney and CIN Eugenio Suarez)… his 4 RBI are one shy of Barney for the major league lead. EIGHT YEARS AS THE RAYS (2008-15)—Since changing their name to the Rays in 2008, the Rays are 707-590 (.545), fourth-best record in the CUBA TRIP FINALIZED—On Tuesday, Major League Baseball and the majors after the Yankees (.567), Cardinals (.562) and Angels (.550)…their Major League Baseball Players Association announced the Rays will of- four postseason appearances in this span have been equaled by only the ficially travel to Cuba to play the Cuban National Team on March 22 at Es- Yankees (5), Tigers (4) and Rangers (4). tadio Latinoamericano in Havana…ESPN and ESPN Deportes will provide ÊÊ During this span, the Rays pitching staff leads the American League live, national coverage of the game, and ESPN’s SportsCenter will have an with a 3.72 ERA, 10,085 strikeouts, a .240 opp avg. and 108 shut- on-site presence in Havana on March 21-22…the Rays will be only the sec- outs…their 5,178 runs allowed are the fewest by an AL team over ond major league club in the last 57 years to play a game in Cuba…most any eight-year span since the Yankees of 1979-86 (5,173). recently, the Baltimore Orioles defeated the Cuban National Team on March ÊÊ In the Rays era, Tampa Bay has had 15 different players named to 28, 1999 by a score of 3-2 in 11 innings, before 50,000 fans at Estadio the All-Star Team, and none of them had been an All-Star prior to Latinoamericano…see separate “Baseball in Cuba” packet for more details. joining the organization. ÊÊ Media interested in traveling to Cuba for the event must contact John Blundell of the MLB Communications Department as soon as VIDEO ON A SILVER PLATTER—The Rays provide a daily postgame vid- possible to receive consideration…email [email protected]. eo feed of 17 non-televised spring training games…this will include about two minutes of highlights plus two short interviews…for day games, video ELITE COMPANY—Today’s starter, RH Chris Archer, last season became should be uploaded by 5:15 p.m. …to receive email updates or for more just the seventh pitcher in the modern era (since 1900) to record at least information, contact Chris Tilley ([email protected] or 727- 250 SO in a season despite posting a losing record…four of the previous six 434-0497). pitchers are Hall of Famers: CWS Ed Walsh (1910), CAL/HOU Nolan Ryan UPCOMING PROBABLES—Today at BOS ÊÊ TB—RH Chris Archer (start), RH Kyle McPherson, RH Jhan Mariñez, CHARLOTTE SPORTS PARK MEDIA INFORMATION LH Adam Wilk, RH Adam Reifer, RH Jacob Faria, RH Parker Markel Pregame Media Schedule (all 1:05 games) ÊÊ BOS—RH Joe Kelly (start), RH Steven Wright, RH Junichi Tazawa, Clubhouse opens to media 8:30 a.m. RH Craig Kimbrel, RH William Cuevas, RH Roman Mendez Kevin Cash available (manager’s office) 9:30 a.m. Sat., March 5 at BAL Rays stretch 9:30 a.m. ÊÊ TB—LH Drew Smyly (start), RH Andrew Bellatti, LH Enny Romero, Rays batting practice 10:20 a.m. RH Eddie Gamboa, LH Justin Marks, RH Ryan Garton, RH Mark Sap- Visitors batting practice 11:20 a.m. pington 2016 Rays Media Guides are available digitally on RaysPressbox.com Ê Ê BAL—RH Kevin Gausman (start), LH Zach Britton, RH Mychal Giv- and MLBPressbox.com…see a member of the Communications staff to ens, RH Darren O’Day, RH Todd Redmond, RH Dale Thayer request a hard copy. Sun., March 6 vs. MIN ÊÊ TB—RH Jake Odorizzi (start), relievers TBA Parking is available to media on the grass directly behind the paved lots ÊÊ MIN—RH Kyle Gibson (start), LH Glen Perkins, RH Casey Fien, RH of the main ballpark entrance...media parking is free to those with spring Michael Tonkin, LH Dan Runzler, RH J.T. Chargois, RH J.R. Graham, training credentials...please see the Communications staff for a pass if LH Aaron Thompson you plan to cover a large number of games. Rays Clubhouse will be open from 8:30–9:30 a.m. on most days…it will TODAY’S RAYS STARTER—RH Chris Archer re-open when necessary in-game. ÊÊ 2015 with Rays: 12-13, 3.23 ERA (212-IP, 76-ER) in 34 starts ÊÊ Makes his first start of the spring…in 2015, earned his first All-Star Media Workroom (separate from the press box) is located at Charlotte selection and set a club record with 252 SO, which ranked 2nd in the Sports Park on the first floor of the building located beyond the right field AL to Chris Sale (274) and 4th in the majors. fence that houses the Rays clubhouse and executive offices. ÊÊ Finished 5th in the AL Cy Young voting with 29 points…ranked among AL leaders with 212 IP (6th), 3.23 ERA (6th), 10.70 SO/9 IP (2nd), 3.82 Media Dining is located behind the press box...the Rays serve a meal SO/BB (9th) and 1.14 WHIP (10th)…held opponents to a .220 avg. prior to all home games at Charlotte Sports Park at a cost of $8. (4th), .282 OBP (8th) and .331 SLG (3rd). Daily Credentials must be requested at credentials.mlb.com at least 24 Ê Ê Led the majors with 34 starts, tying the club record (David Price in hours in advance…credentials can be picked up at the reception desk 2011, Scott Kazmir in 2007)…yielded 0 ER in 10 of those starts, a club located in the entrance of the Rays Clubhouse Building until 3 hours record and T-1st in the AL with Dallas Keuchel and Yovani Gallardo. before first pitch, after which point they must be picked up at Guest Ser- Ê Ê Made his first Opening Day start in 2015. vices near the box office. ÊÊ Threw a career-high 39.2 pct. sliders, highest rate by an AL starter since PITCHf/x data is available (2002)…had a major-league-most CONNECT WITH US 179 SO with the slider (152 swinging), accounting for 71.0 pct. of his Wireless Internet is available in the Press Box and Media Workroom. total strikeouts…no other pitcher in the majors had as many strikeouts Network: MLB-Press2016 | Password: MediaPressWiFi on any other pitch, according to Stats LLC. ÊÊ Struggled at the end of the year, going 0-3 with a 5.81 ERA (31-IP, 20- RaysPressbox.com is a private, media-only website and central location ER) and 20 BB in 6 starts after Sep 1…was 12-10 with a 2.78 ERA for all Rays media info, including 2016 Media Guide PDF files, press through the end of August…his 6.58 ERA in September was the worst releases, game notes, statistics and other gameday documents. monthly mark of his career…issued a career-high-tying 5 BB in con- Username: media | Password: r@ys2016 secutive games, Sep 21 at BOS and Sep 26 at TOR (facing David Price Media are also encouraged to follow the private @RaysPressbox on his 27th birthday). Twitter account to be notified of all media alerts. ÊÊ Has been busy recently as the Rays player rep, working with MLB and the MLBPA in making arrangements for the trip to Cuba later this month. RAYS COMMUNICATIONS CONTACT INFO Charlotte Sports Park, 2300 El Jobean Rd., Port Charlotte, FL 33948

SPRING TRANSACTIONS— Main Number, Rays Office (941) 235-5025 Feb 18 Signed RH Ryan Webb to a major league contract; placed RH Communications Department (941) 235-5044 Chase Whitley (Tommy John surgery) on the 60-day DL. Press Box (941) 235-5082 Rick Vaughn, Vice President [email protected] 2016 SPRING INNINGS PLAYED (“A” GAMES)—Beckham (4-SS), Brett Cell – (727) 439-0671 (5-2B), Casali (5-C), Conger (4-C), Decker (5-LF, 5-RF), Dickerson (6-DH), Dave Haller, Sr. Director [email protected] Field (5-RF, 4-CF), Forsythe (4-2B), Franklin (5-SS, 4-2B), Gillaspie (10-1B), Cell – (727) 773-6904 Guyer (5-CF), Jennings (6-LF), Kiermaier (4-CF), Lee (4-LF), Leonard (4-3B, Craig Vanderkam, Sr. Coordinator [email protected] (handles credential requests) Cell – (616) 389-9863 3-LF), Loney (4-1B), Longoria (4-3B), Mahtook (4-RF, 3-DH), Maile (5-DH, George Pappas, Sr. Coordinator [email protected] 4-C), Miller (4-SS), Morrison (4-DH), Motter (5-3B), Pearce (4-1B), Querecuto Cell – (727) 542-6932 (5-2B), Rivera (5-C), Robertson (5-SS), Shaffer (5-3B), Varona (5-CF, 4-RF). Dukes Knutson, Press Box Attendant

2016 TAMPA BAY RAYS SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE DAY DATE OPPONENT SITE R/TV TIME/SCORE W-L WP LP ATT Wed March 2 Washington Charlotte County M L, 2-6 0-1-0 Martin (1-0) Snell (0-1) 4,432 Thu March 3 Baltimore Charlotte County M W, 10-3 1-1-0 Ramirez (1-0) Gonzalez (0-1) 3,158 Fri March 4 @Boston Fort Myers 1:05 p.m. Sat March 5 @Baltimore (SS) Sarasota R 7:05 p.m. Sun March 6 Minnesota Charlotte County R 1:05 p.m. Mon March 7 @Boston Fort Myers 1:05 p.m. Tue March 8 @Detroit Lakeland 1:05 p.m. Wed March 9 Toronto Charlotte County M 1:05 p.m. Thu March 10 Pittsburgh Charlotte County M 1:05 p.m. Fri March 11 @Pittsburgh Bradenton 1:05 p.m. Sat March 12 New York-AL Charlotte County T/R 1:05 p.m. Sun March 13 Boston Charlotte County R 1:05 p.m. @Toronto Dunedin 1:05 p.m. Mon March 14 @Atlanta Disney 1:05 p.m. Tue March 15 Philadelphia Charlotte County M 1:05 p.m. Wed March 16 OPEN DATE Thu March 17 @Philadelphia Clearwater 1:05 p.m. Fri March 18 Boston (SS) Charlotte County M 1:05 p.m. Sat March 19 Baltimore Charlotte County R 1:05 p.m. Sun March 20 @Baltimore Sarasota R 1:05 p.m. Mon March 21 OPEN DATE Tue March 22 Cuban National Team Havana, Cuba E TBA Wed March 23 @Minnesota Lee County 1:05 p.m. Thu March 24 @New York-AL Tampa R 6:35 p.m. Fri March 25 Minnesota Charlotte County M 1:05 p.m. Sat March 26 @Pittsburgh (SS) Bradenton R 6:05 p.m. Sun March 27 Toronto Charlotte County T/R 1:05 p.m. Mon March 28 OPEN DATE Tue March 29 @Toronto (SS) Dunedin 1:05 p.m. Wed March 30 Boston (SS) Charlotte County T/M 1:05 p.m. Thu March 31 Pittsburgh Charlotte County M 1:05 p.m. Fri April 1 @Atlanta Disney 1:05 p.m. @Detroit Lakeland 1:05 p.m.

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