SAN FRANCISCO _ Using the opener pitching strategy under National League rules can be a bit more complicated in trying to avoid having the pitchers hit and maximize use of pinch hitters.
It's even tougher when the pitchers who come in don't throw well, as was the case in Saturday's 6-4 loss to the Giants.
Rays manager Kevin Cash provided something of a change-up on a day when right-hander Yonny Chirinos was expected to handle the bulk of the innings behind opener Ryne Stanek.
But with the Giants having five lefties in their lineup, Cash instead stuck with his lefty pitchers, using Jalen Beeks for two innings and Ryan Yarbrough for three.
Neither decision worked out, wiping out the Rays' early 1-0 lead.
Beeks, who'd been one of the season-opening success stories, using his revamped delivery to produce three scoreless outings, gave up two runs in his first inning Saturday.
Former Blue Jay Kevin Pillar got the Giants started with a bunt single, then stole second and went to third on Mike Zunino's errant throw. Beeks walked No. 8 hitter Joe Panik, who moved up on a bunt. A sac fly and a single scored the runs.
The Rays scrapped back to take a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth with a four-hit frame, including a pinch single by Willy Adames, whose 1-for-27 start had him out of the lineup. Tommy Pham's sac fly and Ji-Man Choi's single scored the runs.
But then Cash summoned Yarbrough, who was lined up to pitch the bulk of the innings Sunday, and it was quickly apparent he was not sharp.
The first four hitters Yarbrough faced reached on a walk, single, RBI double, two-run homer, and the Rays 3-2 lead quickly became a 6-3 deficit.
Giants starter Jeff Samardzija, who made clear in spring training he didn't like the opener strategy, nor how the Rays pitchers went along with it without standing up for themselves, failed to get through the fifth.
The loss dropped the Rays to 6-3 on the season, with the series finale on Sunday. They again are planning to use an opener.
