B. Lowe getting more comfortable at first

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- It’s not often you see a big leaguer play seven innings in a game during the first week of Spring Training. But getting Brandon Lowe every possible rep at first base was a priority for the Rays heading into the spring.

Lowe, who played second base and outfield last season, is being asked to be part of the solution at first base. The 24-year-old played six innings at the bag on Saturday against Minnesota and followed with seven innings on Monday against Miami.

“I feel good out there,” Lowe said. “Hopefully I get put in as many different situations as possible just to get them all under my belt and get the experience in what I’m supposed to do in those situations.”

Yandy Diaz, Ji-Man Choi and Lowe are all going to get time at first base this spring, and manager Kevin Cash said that the only expectations the team has is for all three to make the plays they’re supposed to make. On Monday, Lowe wasn’t required to make any spectacular plays, but he displayed some awareness when a Michael Brosseau throw from third base pulled him off the bag. Lowe was able to corral the ball and apply the tag.

“Another good day,” Cash said. “Not reading into it too much, but I think day by day he’s getting more comfortable, which is a good thing.”

Lowe has spent the last two weeks working on his first base defense with new infield instructor and third base coach Rodney Linares. The two have been working on getting Lowe more comfortable at using just one hand to catch the ball at first, as opposed to using the off hand, which is common for middle infielders.

Lowe also wants to continue to improve his timing at first base, as well as getting into position more quickly to receive throws, especially in defensive shifts.

“Really focusing on positioning and footwork around the base,” Lowe said. “That ground ball to [shortstop Daniel Robertson], I had to spring over to first, turn around in time to get the guys that are sprinting. That was my first experience really with that, and I realized kind of how far away I really am in that shift. Figuring that stuff out will be good.”

At the plate, Lowe has picked up where he left off last season. After starting his career in an 0-for-19 drought, Lowe displayed the power that led him to the big leagues. Despite the slow start, he finished with six home runs and a .774 OPS in 129 at-bats. In Monday’s 5-2 loss to the Marlins, Lowe hit atop the Rays lineup and went 2-for-4 with a pair of singles.

“I’m getting my timing down,” Lowe said. “More being early than being late and just trying to hit the ball solid.”

Regardless of where he plays on the field, keeping Lowe’s bat in the lineup will be a priority for the Rays in 2019.

Poche sharp in second outing

Colin Poche, who’s competing for an Opening Day roster spot, put Friday’s performance behind him and displayed much better command.

Poche started for the Rays and pitched a scoreless frame.

“There were some adjustments from my last outing that I worked on with [pitching coach Kyle Snyder] in between outings, and I felt like I did a good job of taking that to the mound,” Poche said. “There’s still some adjustments to be made and work to be done, so I’ll have a couple of days to look back on what I did today, what I can do better, get to work and just keep improving every time I go out.”