In his first at bat of the season, in a Rays uniform once again, Carlos Pena launched a 3-2 pitch into the stands for a Grand Slam off CC Sabathia, giving the Rays a 4 run lead in the first.
WATCH: (link)
Desmond Jennings led off the inning with a walk, and Ben Zobrist followed with an attempt to reach the fence. He went deep, but Curtis Granderson caught up with the ball. Evan Longoria then scorched a fastball past A-Rod and moved Jennings to second.
Jeff Keppinger, in his first at bat with the Rays and his first at bat as the fourth hitter, used his stellar contact against left handed pitchers and moved the runners over. Joe Girardi ran to the mound and instructed Sabathia to walk Sean Rodriguez to load the bases, and Carlos Pena stepped up to the plate.
Pena worked a full count, and then he made contact on a high fastball, up and away, pushing it many rows over the right field fence. The Rays are off to a great start. It was his eighth grand slam in his career. In the 2009 home opener, Pena hit a grand slam off Chien-Ming Wang as well.
Welcome home Carlos!