Rafael Soriano isn’t concerned about an ugly spring training pitching
line.
The Rays’ big offseason acquisition
said Tuesday he’s been working on different facets of his game, not
approaching one-inning exhibition outings the way the team is counting
on him to close out games this year.
The 30-year-old reliever’s spring ERA
climbed to 11.25 after allowing four runs, three hits, one walk and
striking out two during the third inning of Tuesday’s 9-9 tie against
the Boston Red Sox.
Soriano, obtained in a trade from
Atlanta after leading the Braves with a career-high 27 saves in 31
opportunities last season, gave up a two-run homer to Anthony Rizzo and a
two-run double to Tug Hulett.
“For me it doesn’t matter,” said
Soriano, who signed a $7.25 million, one-year contract after the Rays
acquired him in exchange for pitcher Jesse Chavez in hopes of
stabilizing the bullpen.
“How I’m pitching today, I don’t pitch
like that,” he added. “When I pitch the same [during the regular
season] and that thing happened, I’d be mad. But today, no.”
Rizzo’s homer put the Red Sox up 6-0.
Josh Reddick‘s solo homer off Lance Cormier made it 7-4 in the fifth.
Boston then fell behind twice before Kevin
Frandsen‘s ninth-inning RBI single made it 9-9.
Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon also
downplayed Soriano’s performance.
The right-hander began his spring
with a pair of scoreless innings, but has allowed five runs over his
last two innings of work. He’s walked two and struck out seven in the
four innings.
“He’s fine. … He’s working on some
other things, his breaking ball,” Maddon said. “He really hasn’t
uncorked his fastball, and I’m fine with all that. He’s feeling good.
None of that is a concern at all.”
Red Sox starter Casey Kelly allowed
two runs and four hits in three innings. Daniel Bard allowed four runs
in the seventh inning, allowing five hits and only getting two outs
before being replaced by Chad Paronto.
Adrian Beltre had a two-run triple
for the Red Sox.
Notes
Maddon announced RHP Jeff
Niemann will start the third game of the season for the Rays, with LHP
David Price starting the fourth game and RHP Wade Davis the fifth.
Right-handers James Shields and Matt Garza hold the top two spots in the
rotation. … Red Sox RHP Jonathan Papelbon and LHP Hideki Okajima are
scheduled to pitch in a minor league game Wednesday in Fort Myers. …
Price allowed one hit, walked one and struck out eight in 6 2/3
scoreless innings of a minor league game Tuesday. … Tampa Bay optioned
RHP Dale Thayer to Triple-A Durham, reassigned RHP Heath Rollins to
minor league camp and announced 1B Dan Johnson accepted an outright
assignment to Durham.