The Tampa Bay Rays will look to build on Tuesday evening’s 9-8 10-inning win over the Oakland Athletics by making it two wins in a row with a victory in the third game of this four-game series. Shane McClanahan (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his second start of 2022, taking on Oakland’s Opening Day starter Frankie Montas (0-1, 9.00 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 6:40.
Rays Starting Lineup
Lowe 2B
Franco SS
Arozarena DH
Choi 1B
Diaz 3B
Lowe LF
Margot RF
Kiermaier CF
Mejia C
Athletics Starting Lineup
Pinder LF
Lowrie 1B
Piscotty RF
Murphy C
Brown DH
Andrus SS
Neuse 2B
Smith 3B
Pache CF
Rays Select Knight To Major League Roster
PORT CHARLOTTE, FL – MARCH 17: Dusten Knight #76 of the Tampa Bay Rays poses for a photo during the Tampa Bay Rays Photo Day at Charlotte Sports Park on Thursday, March 17, 2022 in Port Charlotte, Florida. (Photo by Mary Holt/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
After using five relievers in Tuesday’s win, and four relief pitchers and a position player in Monday’s loss, manager Kevin Cash said half-jokingly after Tuesday’s game that they weren’t sure how they would piece the pitching together on Wednesday. Well, the front office has added another arm to help the team in their stretch of 13 straight games before the first day off of the season.
Tampa Bay selected right-hander Dusten Knight from Triple-A Durham, optioning Ralph Garza Jr., who worked three innings of relief Tuesday, down to the Bulls.
The 31-year-old from Talequah, Oklahoma made three Grapefruit League appearances for the Rays this spring, not allowing a hit, walking two and striking out five in three innings of work. He made his big league debut in 2021, compiling no record and a 9.35 ERA in seven appearances out of the bullpen. Two of his appearances came at Tropicaa Field against the Rays on August 7 and 8.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Knight, pitcher Luis Patino, who was placed on the injured list Tuesday with a left oblique strain, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.