Rays' Alex Cobb not flustered by spring struggle against Blue Jays
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Alex Cobb lived a rare spring struggle Thursday, but he views the blip as a learning opportunity.
The Tampa Bay Rays right-hander allowed three runs, five hits and one walk in 2 1/3 innings of his team's 10-3 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Charlotte Sports Park. He threw 47 pitches, 30 for strikes, and he struck out four batters.
"The results weren't very good," said Cobb, who will start for the Rays on Opening Day against the Baltimore Orioles on April 6 at Tropicana Field. "But it's good to have that happen so you can kind of get insight on things that can pop up during the course of the season and make those adjustments throughout the year. Because when things are going well, you're not working on making adjustments. So there are some things I feel like I can do better."
After an effortless first inning, Cobb allowed his first run in the top of the second when Devon Travis lined a single to left field, scoring Caleb Gindl from third. Then in the top of the third, Josh Donaldson cracked an RBI single to left that scored Ryan Goins from third and Dalton Pompey from second.
For Cobb, the top of the third included a four-pitch walk to Goins and a wild pitch against Donaldson that advanced Pompey to second.
"He probably was trying some things he wouldn't do in a season -- certain pitches in certain situations," Rays manager Kevin Cash said.
Cobb said the main problem was that he lacked aggression in his release. He said he wasn't as aggressive out in front of pitches as he should have been to be successful.
"You can either hang your head and walk out the door and be upset about it, or you can find some positives out of it and try to use that to make yourself better and grow to get ready for the season," said Cobb, who entered Thursday with one hit allowed with two strikeouts in two innings this spring. "By no means am I doubting myself. But there's some stuff that happened that I can learn from."
REASSIGNED
Cash announced Thursday that shortstop Daniel Robertson and outfielder Boog Powell were reassigned to minor-league camp. Both prospects were gained in a trade with the Oakland Athletics on Jan. 10.
"I don't know how much you value first impressions, but they couldn't have gone any better for both of those guys," Cash said.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
