Apr 1, 2025 2 min read

Associated Press

TAMPA, Fla. — 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 José 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.

The Pirates announced Monday that Mitch Keller will be the starting pitcher for the home opener Friday against the New York Yankees.

Key moment

In the fourth, Jonathan Aranda hit his fourth double in four games. Then Christopher Morel singled in Junior Caminero to give the Rays a 1-0 lead.

Kameron Misner’s stand-up double made it 2-0 on the Rays’ fourth straight. Mangum added a two-run single.

Key stat

Tampa Bay went 4 for 13 with runners in scoring position.