ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — There probably need to be some qualifiers.
That this was just one game, and the second of a long season at that.
Also, more relevantly, that the opponent was the pitching-challenged Tigers.
But the Rays on Saturday showed the kind of offense they’ve been insisting they are capable of in a 12-2 win at Tropicana Field.
They flexed their muscle, with Yandy Diaz lacing a home run. They put the ball in play, with 13 total hits from eight different players, including seven doubles. They used their speed. They took advantage of mistakes. They put together a big inning, scoring seven times in a 13-batter third. They scored with two outs. They drew seven walks. They were opportunistic, going 8 for 16 with runners in scoring position.
All that to back an impressive Rays debut by free-agent addition Zach Eflin, who gave up one run over five strong innings. He allowed three hits and a walk while striking out five, throwing 57 of 74 pitches for strikes.
The Rays improved to 2-0 and wrap up the season-opening series on Sunday before jetting off for a quick trip to Washington.
The only negative was the early departure of second baseman Brandon Lowe, who left with a right big toe bruise in the fourth inning.
Diaz led the way with three hits, three RBIs and three runs scored. Franco did just about as much with three hits and three RBIs.
Randy Arozarena, Josh Lowe and Jose Siri also drove in runs.
After a significant drop in production last year and no notable improvements this offseason, there were fair questions about the Rays’ ability to score runs.
But they insisted that the players they had, the return to full health by Brandon Lowe, Franco and Manuel Margot (who all had lengthy injury absences), and the experience added by relative youngsters Josh Lowe and Luke Raley, would make them more potent.
