GCL Rays top Red Sox 2-0

The Game: Eliazer Suero got the start for the Rays, his stateside debut. He did not disappoint, throwing 5 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just 4 hits and one walk, and striking out two. Despite a great effort by Suero, the bullpen again had to work hard and they had their second straight outstanding game.

Enny Romero pitched 3 innings in relief, allowing only one hit and struck out three while only walking one.

Elvin Perez came in to get the 9th inning save and although he struggled through the frame, earned his first save of the season. Perez allowed a walk that was wiped off by a double play immediately after, but then gave up a walk and two singles before striking out the pinch hitter, Seth Schwindenhammer, to end it.

Although the offense wasn't red hot against the Sox, they got the job done on just five hits. Juan Cuello, Elliot Johnson, Gerardo Olivares, Hector Gomez, and Felix Johnson collected the hits for the Rays. Olivares drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 6th against Kyle Stroup, singling home Ruben Contreras. Ruben Contreras helped add some insurance runs, pulling off a successful suicide squeeze to bring home Felix Gonzalez. However, they were just 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position.

What Went Right: Eli Suero and Enny Romero pitched 8 innings of shutout baseball in their stateside debuts against a talented Red Sox club. Ruben Contreras was 0-2 but provided a walk, a run, and an RBI.

What Went Wrong: Alex Diaz went 0-4 and is hitting .125 to start the season, although his sample size is small. Elvin Perez struggled, giving up 2 hits and 2 walks before finally closing it.

The Road Ahead: The Rays head to Sarasota to take on the GCL Orioles in a 12:00 PM game from Twin Lakes Park.