GCL Rays fall on opening day to Twins

The game: The Gulf Coast League Rays kicked off their season in Fort Myers against the Gulf Coast Twins, falling 4-1. Although the GCL is one of the least competitive leagues and records are not everything, the Rays struggled to come up with much offense. They were limited to four hits.

Wilmer Almonte (pictured) got the start for the first Rays GCL game since the 1998 season. He went 4 innings, giving up 3 runs on 7 hits, striking out 3 and walking none. Jose Monegro pitched 3 innings in relief, surrendering only 1 run with 2 strikeouts. Aneuris Mercedes pitched the final inning, striking out 2 and not allowing anyone on base.

The Rays offense struggled, only garnering one extra base hit. Durham Bulls infielder Elliott Johnson appeared on rehab for the Rays, going 0-3 with a strikeout. The Rays failed to earn any walks. They scored their only run on an error, with Ruben Contreras reaching an an error by Twins second baseman Hyeong-rok Choi, scoring Claudio Fukunaga.

What went right: The bullpen. The Rays 'pen only allowed 1 run in 4 innings of work, and only allowed 2 hits.

What went wrong: The majority of the offense struggled. Second baseman Alexander Diaz had a tough day, going 1-4 with 3 strikeouts.

The road ahead: The GCL team gets tomorrow off, and will face the GCL Red Sox on Thursday at 12:00 PM.