Snell yields one hit in season debut

Blake Snell learned to trust his fastball after the Rays drafted him out of high school last year. Making his season debut Tuesday, the left-hander continued to get ahead with his most valuable weapon.

Snell allowed one hit -- a fourth-inning single to Maikis De La Cruz -- and three walks while striking out seven batters over five scoreless frames as Rookie-level Princeton defeated Kingsport, 8-4.

"I think I started every guy off with a fastball," said Snell, who also throws a curveball, slider and changeup in addition to a low-90s sinker. "I used it to get ahead and then I could go to my off-speed pitches. I felt like my fastball was working all night and then I could use my slider."

The 2011 first-round pick was perfect the first time through the order, allowing just one ball to leave the infield. Gavin Cecchini, the 12th overall selection in this year's Draft, drew a one-out walk in the fourth inning but was promptly throwing out trying to steal second base.

De La Cruz followed with a ground ball back up the middle to break up the no-hit bid, but the 20-year-old left-hander retired Jeyckol De Leon on a bouncer to third base to end the frame.

"It was a good hit," Snell said of De La Cruz's single. "I didn't feel like I missed my location with it."

Selected 52nd overall last June out of Shorewood High School in Washington, Snell walked two more batters in the fifth but recorded back-to-back punchouts and fanned Eris Peguero to end the threat before turning things over to the bullpen. He estimated that he threw between 70-75 pitches.

Snell, who had committed to the University of Washington before signing with the Rays, has been playing baseball since he was 9 years old. He was home-schooled his junior year of high school but returned to the classroom the following season and posted a 1.00 ERA and 118 strikeouts over 56 innings.

In 11 appearances, including eight starts, in his rookie year, Snell went 1-2 with a 3.08 ERA and 26 strikeouts in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

"It was kinda weird when this year's Draft came around," said Snell, who was surprised by how quickly his first pro season went by. "I've just been working out and getting stronger and keeping my arm strong.

"I've been playing baseball my whole life. My dad taught me everything know. Now I have to keep working hard. That is all I can do."

Jacob Faria worked a perfect inning in relief of Snell, but Bruedlin Suero surrendered four runs on four hits and three walks while striking out three over 1 2/3 frames. Zach Butler yielded one hit and fanned three over the final 1 1/3 innings for the save.

James Harris belted a three-run homer and Granden Goetzman and Oscar Hernandez each went 2-for-4 in the win.

Kingsport starter Akeel Morris (0-1) was charged with six runs -- four earned -- on six hits and a walk over three innings. Joe Tuschak smacked a solo homer and Jeffrey Diehl ripped a three-run double for the Mets.