ST. PETERSBURG — RHP Yonny Chirinos knew he would make his major-league debut at some point during the season-opening four-game series with the Red Sox. He just did not know when.
It came in the sixth inning Sunday after LHP Jose Alvarado allowed a leadoff single to Jackie Bradley Jr.
When asked why he chose that moment to call for Chirinos, Rays manager Kevin Cash said, "Probably me being a moron."
He was joking. But after striking out Blake Swihart, the first batter he faced, then walking Brock Holt, hitting Mookie Betts with a pitch and allowing a run-scoring single to Rafael Devers for what proved to be the winning run, Chirinos settled down and pitched the final four innings in the Rays' 2-1 loss.