The Tampa Bay Rays winning ways came to end yesterday afternoon, but not before a tremendous effort from the Rays pitching staff.

They held the potent Colorado Rockies offense in check for 10 innings, before Chris Iannetta finally launched a solo home run off of Chaz Roe in the 11th inning to break a 0-0 stalemate.

Charlie Morton was fantastic for six innings, striking out six, walking two, and yielding just four hits. The trio of Ryne Stanek, Jose Alvarado, and Diego Castillo all worked scoreless innings apiece, while Alvarado struck out the side during his inning. He caught the attention of the baseball world with an insane 99 mph pitch with incredible movement.

Offensively, the Rays had plenty of opportunities but failed to produce in each situation. Willy Adames had a particularly rough night as he was hitless in five plate appearances and racked up three more strikeouts, including an awful bunt attempt in a possible game winning situation in the 9th inning. Adames has now struck out in 13 of his 23 PA this season.

The Rays left a total of 13 runners on base and went 0-10 with runners in scoring position.

News and Links

• The Rays pitching staff has now held opposing offenses to a run or less now over five straight games. The modern day record (most since the start of the expansion era) is eight games, set by the 1966 Kansas City Royals. Only 12 other teams have gone six straight games and the last time it was reached was by the 2011 Texas Rangers.
• It’s minor league opening day and most eyes will be in Dayton, Ohio as the Bowling Green Hot Rods will play their first game of the season with uber-prospect Wander Franco in the starting lineup
• Rays prospects and minor leagues: 2019 season begins - Scott Grauer, Draysbay
• 5 things we’ve learned about the AL East - Gregor Chisholm, MLB.com
• Starting spots for Rays’ Top 30 Prospects - Mike Rosenbalm, MLB.com
• Why the Rays are the most exciting team in baseball - David Schoenfield, ESPN
• Buccaneers quietly seeking millions in compensation from BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil spill - Jack Baer, Yahoo Sports
• New Rays ballpark site pitched to Tampa, Hillsborough officials - Anastasia Dawson and Richard Danielson, Tampa Bay Times ($)
• MiLB 2019 Preview: New Year, New Baseballs - J.J. Cooper, Baseball America ($)