ST. PETERSBURG — Rays manager Kevin Cash’s effort to get Steve Pearce at-bats against right-handed pitchers led to a shake-up in Monday night’s lineup.
Pearce started at first base and batted second, taking the spot reserved this season for 1B Logan Morrison, the left-handed hitter who had started every game against a right-hander. Morrison was 4-for-50 with 22 strikeouts heading into the game.
Cash said last week in Boston that he wanted to get Pearce in the lineup more. Pearce started against lefties on Thursday and Friday, then started both weekend games in New York against right-handers.