The Tampa Bay Rays were defeated yesterday afternoon by the Minnesota Twins by he score of 10-8. The loss dropped the Rays record this spring to 2-2-1.

Blake Snell made his spring debut and worked a perfect inning, picking up a strikeout. Jose Alvarado took to a mound in a game for the first time since last August and things didn’t quite go so well as he walked two, allowed two hits, and struck out just one batter before getting removed from the game.

Andrew Kittredge had another impressive outing, as did Diego Castillo, Ryan Sherriff, and Anthony Banda.

Offensively, Michael Brosseau had a big game for the Rays, crushing a two run home run. His replacement, Tristan Gray, also had a good game, doubling twice. Yoshitomo Tsutsugo was finally retired, going down on strikes and going hitless in his two plate appearances.

Today, the Rays will have their first split-squad action of the spring as one group will travel to Tampa to take on the New York Yankees (a game that will be televised) while the other group — which includes top prospect Wander Franco — will stay in Port Charlotte to take on the Detroit Tigers.

News and Links

• How Wander Franco, Luis Robert Took Different Approaches To Great Seasons - J.J. Cooper, Baseball America ($$$)

The Baseball America story has this incredible statline for the wunderkind Wander Franco

“Forty percent of Franco’s plate appearances ended with him ahead in the count. And he hit .326/.510/.543 when he was ahead.”

• Wondering about Wander? Take a look during Rays’ next games - Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times ($$$)
• Why Rays’ Jose Alvarado says spring debut was better than it looked - Marc Topkin, Tampa Bay Times ($$$)
• Rays aim to take next step, build on ‘19 run - Juan Toribio, Rays Baseball
• What’s next for Des Moines native Jeremy Hellickson after retirement? - Tommy Birch, The Des Moines Register
• Yankees Injuries: Giancarlo Stanton suffers Grade 1 calf strain - Tyler Norton, Pinstripe Alley
• Report: Brewers sign Freddy Peralta to long-term extension - James L, Brew Crew Ball