Gomes starts rally; Rays tie score at 6-6

Let the record show that Jonny Gomes smacked the first home run of the spring for the Rays, a towering blast in the sixth that fell to earth near the top of the berm in left field.

Tigers 6, Rays 5

Let the record also show that the wind was blowing out to left with such force you could count all 50 stars on the American flag flying beyond center field. But that ball would have reached the hill regardless of the wind conditions.

The Rays kept the rally going against Tiger pitcher Armando Galaraga.

Ben Zobrist walked, and Dioner Navarro beat out a slow roller to second. The runner advanced a base when John Weber bounced out to first.

That proved important because Zobrist scored on a passed ball.

Rays 6, Tigers 6

And here’s the line on Orvella: 1 1/3 innings, five hits, four runs, a walk and a strikeout.