GCL Rays: Wade Townsend makes first start of the year

2005 first round draft pick Wade Townsend made his first start of the year for the Gulf Coast Rays tonight against the GCL Orioles. Townsend tore his labrum last fall while pitching in the Arizona Fall League. Contrary to rumors, Townsend did not retire this summer.

Townsend pitched a scoreless inning for the Rays, surrendering a walk and striking out one. Townsend will likely make a few more rehab starts for the rookie-league Rays, slowly working up his pitch/inning count.

The Rays fell 10-0 behind shaky relief pitching. Andrew Bellatti took over for Townsend, going 3 innings, allowing one hit and one walk, striking out three. Enny Romero struggled, going 2 1/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on three hits, walking two and striking out five, taking the loss. Luis Yendis replaced Romero, going 1 1/3 innings, allowing three earned runs on two hits, walking three and striking out two. Jose Molina threw the final 1 1/3 innings, allowing an earned run on one hit. The pitchers struggled with control, hitting four Orioles.

Offensively, the Rays managed to come up with just five hits. Travis Pace went 1-3 with a walk. Alex Diaz went 1-4. Cristian Vasquez was 1-3. Hector Gomez went 2-3 with a double and a triple.