Tampa Bay Rays starter Alex Cobb had a so-so start on Sunday in a Grapefruit League outing against the Red Sox. Cobb didn't have much chance in a game that saw Jon Lester go six perfect innings, but the Rays starter wasn't so sharp.
Cobb allowed four runs -- three earned -- on six hits and a walk over 5 1/3 innings before being removed in favor of Juan Sandoval. Cobb was hurt by two Will Middlebrooks doubles and Jonny Gomes cashed in all the runs scored against him.
The good news for Cobb is that even with his three earned runs allowed, his spring ERA remains solid at 2.33. He had given up just two runs over 14 innings with 18 strikeouts over his first four Grapefruit appearances.
Cobb, 25, went 11-9 with a 4.03 ERA over 23 starts for the Rays last year. He struck out 106 over 136 1/3 innings with a solid 1.247 WHIP. He has a rotation spot locked up heading into the regular season.