OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Expansion Revision: 1998 Devil Rays and beyond

Moriarty9 · 12-08-2008, 04:11 PM

Tigers claw by D-Rays in opener
Martinez solid, Sirotka just a little better
March 31, 1998

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The first pitch in Tampa Bay Devil Rays was a scary one as Detroit Tigers leadoff hitter Juan Encarnacion drilled a first pitch fastball from Pedro Martinez deep to centerfield, only to be reeled in on the run by the speedy Mike Cameron just short of the wall.

Tonight’s season opener was filled with firsts as the expansion Devil Rays played the first regular season game in franchise history, losing 3-2 to Detroit. With two outs in the first inning, it was Will Clark who picked up the first hit in franchise history, a base hit to right field off Tigers pitcher Mike Sirotka.
Ryan Radmanovich scored the club’s first run, giving Jeff Frye the honor of picking up the first RBI in Devil Rays history. With Radmanovich on second base with two out in the third inning, Frye singled through the right side of the infield, giving Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead.
The Tigers negated that lead in the fourth when Travis Fryman pushed Frank Catalonotto across the plate with a two-out triple.
Mike Cameron picked up the first stolen base in franchise history, swiping second base with one out in the fifth. The steal paid dividends after a Radmanovich groundout moved him along to third base and Royce Clayton hit a RBI double.
Detroit tied the game in the seventh after a rare Ruben Sierra RBI triple, and then took the lead when Encarnacion grounded out to second base, allowing Sierra to score what would prove to be the winning run of the ballgame.
Martinez was charged with the first loss in club history after giving up three runs, all earned, on eight hits and no walks, striking out seven over seven innings. Greg Cadaret and Paul Quantrill pitched a scoreless inning of relief respectively. Frye and Cameron picked up two hits each, Clayton his Tampa Bay’s lone extra base hit (a fifth inning double), while Clark, Dan Wilson, Tripp Cromer and Radmanovich all had singles.

The celebration for the first-ever MLB game at Tropicana Field and in Tampa Bay Devil Rays history.

12-08-2008, 04:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
Moriarty9 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,855 Thanks: 9 Thanked 3x in 3 posts	Tigers claw by D-Rays in opener Martinez solid, Sirotka just a little better March 31, 1998 ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The first pitch in Tampa Bay Devil Rays was a scary one as Detroit Tigers leadoff hitter Juan Encarnacion drilled a first pitch fastball from Pedro Martinez deep to centerfield, only to be reeled in on the run by the speedy Mike Cameron just short of the wall. Tonight’s season opener was filled with firsts as the expansion Devil Rays played the first regular season game in franchise history, losing 3-2 to Detroit. With two outs in the first inning, it was Will Clark who picked up the first hit in franchise history, a base hit to right field off Tigers pitcher Mike Sirotka. Ryan Radmanovich scored the club’s first run, giving Jeff Frye the honor of picking up the first RBI in Devil Rays history. With Radmanovich on second base with two out in the third inning, Frye singled through the right side of the infield, giving Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead. The Tigers negated that lead in the fourth when Travis Fryman pushed Frank Catalonotto across the plate with a two-out triple. Mike Cameron picked up the first stolen base in franchise history, swiping second base with one out in the fifth. The steal paid dividends after a Radmanovich groundout moved him along to third base and Royce Clayton hit a RBI double. Detroit tied the game in the seventh after a rare Ruben Sierra RBI triple, and then took the lead when Encarnacion grounded out to second base, allowing Sierra to score what would prove to be the winning run of the ballgame. Martinez was charged with the first loss in club history after giving up three runs, all earned, on eight hits and no walks, striking out seven over seven innings. Greg Cadaret and Paul Quantrill pitched a scoreless inning of relief respectively. Frye and Cameron picked up two hits each, Clayton his Tampa Bay’s lone extra base hit (a fifth inning double), while Clark, Dan Wilson, Tripp Cromer and Radmanovich all had singles. The celebration for the first-ever MLB game at Tropicana Field and in Tampa Bay Devil Rays history.