Pirates slip to 1-4 with loss to Rays

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the second inning of a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jake Mangum got two hits from each side of the plate to finish 4 for 4 in his second major league game, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-1 on Monday night in their first game under the lights at Steinbrenner Field.
The Rays had just four players with a four-hit game all of last season.
The 29-year-old Mangum, who made his big league debut on Sunday, got his first career hit in the third inning and then stole his first base. He finished with a double, three singles and two RBIs.
Tampa Bay took control after sending 10 men to the plate in a four-run fourth that Mangum capped with a single up the middle, scoring two.
Mangum also scored from second in the sixth when Jose Caballero hit a deep shot that went off the glove of right fielder Jack Suwinski.
Four Tampa Bay pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and no walks. Drew Rasmussen (1-0), coming back from his third elbow procedure, rejoined the starting rotation and allowed two hits in five scoreless innings, while striking out four.
Pittsburgh starter Carmen Mlodzinski (0-1) allowed four runs and seven hits in 3 2/3 innings.
UP NEXT
The teams meet again Tuesday as the Rays continue a season-opening six-game homestand at their temporary ballpark. RHP Shane Baz starts for Tampa Bay. The Pirates had not announced a starter.