Snell not happy with rocky outing vs. USF

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Blake Snell was disappointed with the way he approached Tuesday’s start in the Rays' 7-2 win over the University of South Florida.

“Very disappointed in the way I approached the game today,” Snell said. “My mentality wasn’t what it should’ve been.”

The day began with USF shortstop Jordan Feist commenting on Snell’s Instagram post, telling the Rays left-hander that he was going to take him “deep backside tonight.” Tuesday’s game against Snell will likely be the only chance a lot of the USF players get against an American League Cy Young Award-winning pitcher. It was a thrill for the hitters, but Snell didn’t approach it the same way.

Snell said he approached the game as a “lose-lose,” which, along with his lack of a fastball command, made him upset throughout his start.

“What do I win out of it? Nothing. What do I get out of it? Nothing. I could only lose,” Snell said. “But I didn’t approach it with the mindset like every team that I face ... 'You have no shot, why are you stepping in the box?' That was my mentality. For me to even think like that, I was upset.”

Snell retired just two hitters and failed to get out of the first inning, giving up two earned runs in the process. His troubles began when he hit center fielder Kyle Phillips with a fastball, which was then followed by an RBI double by Bulls first baseman Joe Genord. A Tyler Dietrich infield single and a walk against Jordan Santos ultimately ended Snell’s night. The left-hander threw 29 pitches Tuesday, only 15 of them for strikes.

Tuesday’s start was as uncharacteristic as you’ll see from Snell. The last time he gave up two earned runs in the first inning of a game was last April 4 against the Yankees in New York.

“I was very happy with my curveball and changeup today, but with that being said, very disappointed in the fastball,” Snell said. “It’s very hard to pitch off a curveball and a changeup with the fastball being all over the place. I don’t care who you’re facing.”

Even though Snell is disappointed with his performance, he said it’ll serve as a learning experience moving forward into the season.

“To be able to see that and understand that I still have a lot to work on, it’s exciting for me,” Snell said. “First game, I can’t really say that it was bad, it was just inconsistent. But [Tuesday] was a bad game.”

Roe, Alvarado sharp in debuts

While Snell struggled against the Bulls, relievers Jose Alvarado and Chaz Roe made quick work of the USF hitters in their first appearances of the spring.

Roe, who dealt with a slight back issue at the beginning of camp, retired three of the four hitters he faced in Tuesday’s win. The right-hander threw 11 pitches, eight for strikes.

“It was good to get back out there,” Roe said. “Everything felt good.”

As for Alvarado, the left-hander said after the game that he is “ready to pitch” after needing just nine pitches to get through the third inning Tuesday.

Brujan impresses

Rays No. 7 prospect Vidal Brujan was playing second base and leading off Tuesday against the Bulls, and he didn’t need much time to make an impact. Brujan got things started with a leadoff walk and stole second base on the very next pitch.

“He can really excite a ballgame with his speed and his bat,” manager Kevin Cash said. “Kind of a fearless approach.”

Down in Fort Myers

Adam Kolarek, who is competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster, struggled in his start against the Twins in the first leg of Rays split-squad action on Tuesday. Kolarek gave up a grand slam to Twins outfielder Eddie Rosario in the first inning of Tampa Bay’s 9-2 loss to Minnesota.

Yandy Diaz hit his first home run of the spring in the sixth inning off Trevor Hildenberger.

Up next

Charlie Morton makes his second Grapefruit League start against the Orioles at 1:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Charlotte Sports Park. Morton retired all four batters he faced in last Tuesday’s start against the Orioles. Yonny Chirinos is also slated to pitch.