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Rays journal: Cagey Evan Longoria tricks Tigers

 
Evan Longoria severely trims his beard in hopes of reversing his early season woes. The result: 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs.
Evan Longoria severely trims his beard in hopes of reversing his early season woes. The result: 3-for-4 with 3 RBIs.
Published April 20, 2017

ST. PETERSBURG — At the time, it was the play of the night, a smart move by 3B Evan Longoria that resulted in a double play that appeared to get the Rays, leading the Tigers by a run at the time, out of a sixth-inning jam.

With runners on first and second and no outs, Tigers CF JaCoby Jones popped up a bunt along the third-base line. Longoria, who was charging, stopped and backed up while allowing the ball to fall safely to the Tropicana Field turf.

The runners held, thinking Longoria would make the catch. That allowed him to throw to SS Tim Beckham, who was covering second base, for an easy force out.

Jones, also expecting Longoria to catch the bunt on the fly, didn't run out of the batter's box until he saw the ball drop. Because of that, Beckham's throw to 2B Brad Miller, who was covering first base, was just in time to complete the double play.

Those were two big outs, but RHP Jumbo Diaz walked the next two, then Nicholas Castellanos tripled home three runs on a line drive that CF Kevin Kiermaier missed, and the Rays' lead was gone.

About Jake

RHP Jake Odorizzi is adamant that his time on the 10-day DL will be enough to allow his hamstring to heal. "I hope he's right," manager Kevin Cash said. "I really don't know. It's still pretty early. I like the fact Jake's able to continue throwing and keeping his arm in shape. That's a huge plus. Generally when you have an injury, you got to shut down and build back up. Hopefully we can cut that time in half or almost in half."

Chin music

When 3B Evan Longoria showed up in spring training with a full beard, he said his wife, Jaime, really liked it, "And that's what it's all about."

But, he added, he would "probably keep it until I (stink) for a couple weeks and then it'll be gone. It'll be an excuse why."

Well, apparently a .200 average and nearly a majors-most 22 strikeouts through 15 games was enough for him to try something different. He showed up Wednesday having shaved it all but some neatly trimmed remnants.

"It was my call," Longoria said. "You've got to do what you you've got to do."

Replied Jaime via Twitter: "He's still super hot but I'm gonna need to see that beard again," with a heart-adorned emoji.

Quote of the day

" 'Longo' can hit with or without a beard. It really doesn't matter. He hits."

Manager Kevin Cash, when told 3B Evan Longoria trimmed his beard

Miscellany

. OF Colby Rasmus is expected to begin his minor-league rehab this weekend.

. RHP Brent Honeywell, the top pitching prospect in the organization, pitched six innings Wednesday and allowed three runs on six hits, including two home runs, in his Triple-A Durham debut. He retired nine straight at one point during the Bulls' 8-5 loss at Indianapolis.

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Times staff writer Marc Topkin contributed to this report.