Walks, doubles and runs

We are underway here at suddenly cloudy Al Lang, and I would like to start off with a question. Aren’t the pitchers supposed to be ahead of the hitters at this point?

Doesn’t look like that’s the case today.

Rays starter Jason Hammel gets himself in trouble by allowing a one-out double to Jason Michaels then walks Jhonny Peralta. Travis Hafner doubles home one run, and Peralta comes home on a grounder to short by Ryan Garko.

Indians 2, Rays 0.

But wait, Paul Byrd takes the mound for the Indians and walks Aki Iwamura to start the frame. Carl Crawford singles. Carlos Pena walks to load the bases.

B.J. Upton drives home the first run with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Indians 2, Rays 1.

Cliff Floyd steps to the plate. The designated hitter hasn’t looked all that impressive this spring, I have to be honest. Now, in Floyd’s defense, he is a veteran and he knows how to pace himself, so maybe he’s just finding his swing.

If that’s the case, he certainly found it during this at-bat, lashing a double to right center that scores Crawford and Pena.

Rays 3, Indians 2 after one.