MIAMI — The Tampa Bay Rays’ hit parade Sunday included a backup outfielder, a reserve infielder and their previously hitless catcher.
Add it all up, and the Rays beat the reeling Miami Marlins 8-5.
David DeJesus, making his first start of the year in left field, led the way with a three-run homer. That was one of 14 hits for the Rays.
"We feel confident as an offensive side right now," DeJesus said. "You can see the at-bat we’ve been getting — just quality, professional at-bats throughout the lineup today. Guys are not putting pressure on themselves. We’re not trying to be the hero. We’re just moving the line."
For the second game in a row, the Rays’ Tim Beckham came off the bench to deliver an extra-base hit, this time a pinch-hit RBI triple in the sixth. He added a run-scoring single in the ninth.
"It’s a role I’m embracing," Beckham said. "It’s new to me, and I’m getting used to it by the day. I’m taking it for what it is and just having fun."
Kevin Kiermaier doubled twice and has seven extra-base hits. He also walked, scored and drove in a run. Catcher Rene Rivera snapped out of an 0-for-17 start with two RBI doubles and a single.
That was plenty of run support for Nathan Karns, who allowed two hits in seven innings for his second career victory.
DeJesus’ homer off Henderson Alvarez (0-2) helped the Rays build a 7-2 lead. DeJesus also prevented a potential big inning when he made a diving backhanded catch with two runners on in the fourth.
The Marlins came into the season with high hopes but went 1-5 on their season-opening homestand.
"It could have been worse," catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia said. "We could have been 0-6."
The Marlins’ offence finally came alive late in the game, and Saltalamacchia hit their first homer in the ninth, but they lost two players with similar injuries.
Reserve third baseman Don Kelly and backup catcher Jeff Mathis each broke the ring finger on his right hand.
"Tough day all the way around," Mathis said.
Tough week, actually. They’re batting only .213. Four of the eight regulars are at .200 or below.
"We’ve got some guys pressing — you can see it — trying to do way too much," manager Mike Redmond said.
The Marlins’ $325 million right fielder, Giancarlo Stanton, went 0 for 4 to drop his average to .158. There were a few jeers from the crowd of 20,199 when he fouled out in his final at-bat.
Stanton also committed an error that helped the Rays score a run in the first inning, and his indecision with a throw allowed Kiermaier to stretch a hit into a double.
Karns (1-1), making his seventh career start, allowed two runs — one earned — and lowered his career ERA from 6.67 to 5.65.
"I was really just trying to get the heart of the plate, get a couple of strikes there early, stay ahead in the count and just kind of work from there," Karns said.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rays: RHP Alex Colome (pneumonia) pitched three scoreless innings in his first rehab start Saturday for Single-A Charlotte. He’s scheduled for another start there Thursday. … OF John Jaso is not swinging a bat yet, but the swelling in his bruised left wrist has gone down.
Marlins: Kelly was hurt fielding a grounder in the second inning. Mathis was hit by a pitch while behind the plate in the eighth.
UP NEXT
Rays: RHP Jake Odorizzi (1-0, 0.00) will start in Toronto’s home opener Monday. He pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings in his first start Wednesday against Baltimore.
Tampa Bay is 2-10 in opponents’ home openers.
Rookie RHP Matt Andriese will make his first career start Tuesday for the Rays, who play their next 22 games against the AL East.
Marlins: RHP Mat Latos (0-1, 94.50), coming off the shortest outing of his career, again faces Atlanta when the Marlins start a 10-game trip Monday.
