Ray was absolutely cruising through the first five innings, not allowing a single baserunner. However, the wheels started to fall off in the sixth. Ray allowed a lead-off single to Gavin Lux and then was able to get a groundout before allowing back-to-back home runs and a walk before being removed from the game. The left-hander posted a 25 percent whiff rate and 24 percent CSW on the day and struggled to find the strike zone with anything other than his fastball, including his new changeup, which had just a 20 percent strike rate. Better days are ahead for Ray, who will next square off against a Seattle team that struggled against lefties last year.

Ray’s velocity was down some tonight, but he did just fine despite giving up homers to Riley Greene and Spencer Torkelson. He ends the spring 3-0 with a 1.86 ERA, making him a legitimate mixed-league option. Still, a road start against the Reds makes for a poor first-week matchup.

Ray struck out two and walked none in an easy outing. Nine of his remaining 13 outs came on the ground. He’s looked particularly good this spring, sending his stock climbing. His old control woes could always resurface, but they weren’t as evident in the year before his Tommy John surgery and also haven’t yet turned into an issue since his return.