Corey Dickerson launches mammoth home run in Rays' spring victory
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (AP) -- Corey Dickerson hit a home run that stopped rolling 569 feet from home plate, according to the Tampa Bay Rays.
Acquired from Colorado in the offseason, Dickerson connected for a two-run shot off Miguel Gonzalez that sailed over the wall at the Rays' complex and kept bouncing during a 10-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles on Thursday.
"I tried to be short to the ball, and it worked out," Dickerson said.
Tampa Bay starter Erasmo Ramirez was already out of the game and on a back field participating in drills when Dickerson hit the long ball.
"I heard the noise. They blew the horn, so that means something was going on," Ramirez said.
Gonzalez allowed seven runs in 1 1/3 innings. It was the second straight game that an Orioles starter was roughed up; Ubaldo Jimenez gave up six runs Wednesday and retired just one batter in the first inning.
Desmond Jennings had a pair of run-scoring doubles for Tampa Bay. Brandon Guyer added three hits, including a home run off Dylan Bundy.
STARTING TIME:
Orioles: Gonzalez, who was hampered last season with a shoulder injury, said he felt strong if ineffective in his first start.
"They didn't even let me breathe out there. It was tough. They were swinging at that first pitch. The positive side is that I didn't walk anyone and physically I feel fine. I'm ready to go. It was just a tough one to think about. Obviously, the results weren't there," Gonzalez said.
Rays: Ramirez, expected to be Tampa Bay's fifth starter, allowed one hit and struck out three in two innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM:
Orioles: LHP Brian Matusz requested an MRI on his back. Matusz allowed a run and two hits in one inning in Wednesday's game against Atlanta.
"He just felt it during the game. It was pretty sore, kind of in the lower back, on the side, the way I understand it. He initially requested the MRI, and they thought it would be a good idea," manager Buck Showalter said.
"His return is not imminent," Showalter said.
INF/OF Jimmy Paredes left the game in the second inning with a sprained left wrist after trying to catch Logan Fosythe's double. Paredes is scheduled for X-Rays on Thursday night.
Rays: Jennings will get two days off after playing in Tampa Bay's first two games. He was slowed with a knee injury last season.
"He's ready to go. No limitations," manager Kevin Cash said.
UP NEXT:
Orioles: Visit Dunedin to take on the Toronto Blue Jays. Right-hander Vance Worley faces left-hander J.A. Happ
Rays: Play the Boston Red Sox in Fort Myers. Chris Archer faces Joe Kelly in a matchup of right-handers.
BROTHERS
Orioles C Caleb Joseph was excited to play his first game with his younger brother Corban, an infielder in Baltimore's minor league system. Corban, an infielder who briefly played with the New York Yankees, struck out in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter.
