Rays knock out 13 hits in close spring loss to Tigers
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) -- Victor Martinez went 2 for 2 with a double, raising his average to .412, and Ian Kinsler also doubled as the Detroit Tigers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-5 Tuesday.
Shane Greene allowed three runs and five hits in 2 2-3 innings for the Tigers. John Mayberry Jr., trying to earn an outfield job, hit his first homer of spring training, a tiebreaking drive in the seventh off Jacob Faria.
Non-roster player Kyle Roller homered for Tampa Bay.
Kinsler got his second double in two days and lifted his spring average to .333. He's one of several players competing for the leadoff spot.
"I feel fine, it's early in the spring," Kinsler said after playing five innings. "I'm just getting into the groove."
Manager Brad Ausmus likes Kinsler atop his lineup but wasn't ready to commit to him as the leadoff hitter. Other candidates for the spot include outfielders Anthony Gose and Cameron Maybin.
"There are a lot of possibilities," Ausmus said. "It is too early to tell."
STARTING TIME
Rays: Erasmo Ramirez gave up five runs and seven hits in two innings, raising his ERA to 11.25.
Tigers: Greene made his second start of the spring. He was shaky but unconcerned about the subpar results.
"I felt fine today, I am just trying to grip and get some outs," Greene said. "It feels fine."
Greene went 4-8 in 16 starts for the Tigers last season.
UP NEXT
Rays: Chris Archer will start on Wednesday in Port Charlotte against the Toronto Blue Jays. He'll be followed by Xavier Cedeno, Alex Colome, Ryan Webb, Dana Eveland and Enny Romero.
Tigers: Justin Verlander will make his second start of the spring in Lakeland against the Washington Nationals. Gio Gonzalez will start for the Nats.
