Price untouchable in Opening Day preview vs. O's
Ace allows one hit in four shutout innings in final Grapefruit League outing
Price, who will start Opening Day against Baltimore on Tuesday, went four scoreless innings and allowed one hit and a walk with three strikeouts. Coming off an American League Cy Young-winning season, Price pitched to a 2.12 spring ERA this spring and will be opposed by righty Jason Hammel on Opening Day.
The Orioles sent Minor League pitcher Jesse Beal to face Price on Thursday night, as Steve Johnson was scratched with an injury. Beal allowed three runs over one inning of work and was followed by lefty Troy Patton, who pitched a scoreless second. Right-hander Luis Ayala tossed two scoreless frames following that.
The O's lone hit off Price came from shortstop J.J. Hardy in the second inning, and Matt Wieters drew a fourth-inning walk. Baltimore scored two runs in the sixth with a pair of doubles from Manny Machado and Adam Jones.
Outfielder Kyle Hudson hit an infield single single to drive home Taylor Teagarden for the tying run in the ninth. Teagarden had walked to lead off the inning.
Evan Longoria went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, including a solo homer off Tim Bascom in the sixth inning, while Yunel Escobar singled in a run in the first. Ben Zobrist walked and scored in that frame as well.
Desmond Jennings went 4-for-5 batting leadoff and filling the designated hitter role for the Rays.
Up Next for the Rays: Jeremy Hellickson will make his final start of the spring on Friday afternoon against the Tigers in Lakeland. The Rays right-hander went seven innings against the Yankees in his last outing, but he will have a short stint in advance of making his first start of the season. Cesar Ramos is also scheduled to pitch.