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Numbers tell a near-perfect story in 19-0 Rays win

 
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb (53) throwing in the first inning of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 19-0.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Alex Cobb (53) throwing in the first inning of the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Minnesota Twins at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte, Fla. on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Minnesota Twins 19-0.
Published March 1, 2017

There were some interesting big numbers in the Rays' 19-0 Tuesday win over the Twins, and a near-miss at a historical zero, losing a perfect game in the eighth:

Spring record, and overall record-tying runs by the Rays, and spring and overall record margin of victory.

Consecutive batters retired by Rays pitchers Alex Cobb (six), Dana Eveland (three), David Carpenter (three), Alex Colome (three), Danny Farquhar (six). Neil Wagner opened the eighth allowing a single to Bengie Gonzalez, ending the bid for a perfect game, then two more hits and a walk. "We didn't really talk about it (on the bench," Wagner said. "A couple fans mentioned it."

Rays who homered — two-runners by Curt Casali and Nick Franklin, three-run shots by Rickie Weeks and minor-leaguer Cade Gotta, and a mammoth grand slam by prospect Jake Bauers that struck the base of building beyond rightfield. "Jake continues to impress," manager Kevin Cash said. "That is one smooth swing."

Most hits in a spring game since at least 2008, one shy of regular-season record. "It's spring training so some people say winning and losing doesn't matter, but … we want to win, and the more runs we can put up the better. I think it's good to practice scoring a lot of runs," Casali said.