Tampa Bay Rays overcome Minnesota Twins – MLB Spring Training
Tampa Bay Rays defeated Minnesota Twins 1-0 at the Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers Florida in their Grapefruit League encounter of the 2012 Major League Baseball Spring Training Session. The Rays made the most of on hand opportunities on Thursday, March 8 to
secure an important win over their arch rivals. Showing great determination, fighting spirit and mental strength, the Rays handled the pressure brilliantly to prevail in a nail biting contest.
Rays’ starter, Chris Archer displayed some high quality pitching skills in his first spring training start. Giving up only one hit and two walks over two scoreless innings, he played a key role in deciding the outcome of the clash.
Hak Ju Lee scored the only run of the game when he took advantage of Luke Hughes’ throwing error to the first base. The striker failed to live up to his immense potential last season and he will be looking to bounce back strongly in 2012. Desmond Jennings
made the difference in batting department as he had two of Tampa Bay’s four hits during the contest.
"It was nice, because I've never faced guys of that calibre on a consistent basis," Archer said. "Facing those guys back-to-back with runners on base, it was definitely nice to be in there and get those guys out."
"I feel good," Jennings said. "Just glad I'm playing. Hopefully, I'll get better as camp goes on."
Francisco Liriano produced a memorable performance as he struck out five of the nine batters he faced in three scoreless innings for the Twins. The left handed pitcher had a very poor run in 2011, so he will be hoping to post consistent performances this
season.
"I battled it through the whole year," Liriano said. "Like two days before spring training I got hurt, so I worked out in Miami. I tried to battle through it the whole year; it was getting better, but it was just a battle the whole year."
The Rays have given some great performances since the start of 2012 Spring Training. It will be interesting to see if they can maintain their form in the entire season.
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