Team Italy players shine in 2019 MLB Spring Training debuts

Team Italy pitchers Tommy Layne, Sam Gaviglio, and Pat Venditte made great first impressions in their 2019 MLB Spring Training debuts on February 23, 2019. St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Tommy Layne picked up his second MLB Spring Training win of his career after throwing one inning of relief in the St. Louis Cardinals 11-1 route over the Miami Marlins at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Florida. Tommy Layne entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning and struck out the side on nine pitches when Peter O' Brien, Starlin Castro, and Jon Berti fell victim to the 33-year-old lefty reliever.

Equally as impressive in the Grapefruit League was Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Sam Gaviglio's commanding performance against the Detroit Tigers in Dunedin, Florida. After the Detroit Tigers took an early 4-0 lead, 28-year-old right-handed pitcher Sam Gaviglio came into the contest in the top of the fourth inning to stop the bleeding and threw two scoreless innings with two strikeouts at Dunedin Stadium. The Detroit Tigers went on to win the game 4-0.

Out west in the Cactus League at Tempe's Diablo Stadium, Team Italy switch-pitcher Pat Venditte made his San Francisco Giants pitching debut against the Los Angeles Angels. Summoned out of the Giants bullpen in the bottom of the seventh inning, Pat Venditte pitched right-handed to all three batters he faced in an easy one-two-three inning. After striking out Angels leadoff hitter Taylor Ward, Jamai Jones flew out to center field and Julian Leon popped out to second base. The Los Angeles Angels beat the San Francisco Giants 10-3. 

Although only seeing limited playing time, Team Italy infielders Daniel Descalso, Gavin Cecchini, and Drew Maggi also made brief appearances in their 2019 MLB Spring Training debuts. Chicago Cubs second baseman Daniel Descalso started in the cleanup spot for Italian American manager Joe Maddon against the Milwaukee Brewers at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. After flying out to right field in his first at-bat, Daniel Descalso hit an RBI single to right field to give the Chicago Cubs a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the third inning. The Chicago Cubs ended up winning the game 8-4.

Meanwhile in Grapefruit League action, New Yorks Mets second baseman Gavin Cecchini entered late in the game against the Atlanta Braves at First Data Field in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Gavin Cecchini popped up to short in his only at-bat in the bottom of the seventh inning. The New York Mets edged the Atlanta Braves 4-3.

Minnesota Twins shortstop Drew Maggi replaced Jorge Polanco in the top of the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in an evening game at CenturyLink Sports Park in Fort Meyers, Florida. In his only at-bat for the Minnesota Twins in the bottom of the seventh inning, Drew Maggi grounded out to short. The Minnesota Twins prevailed in the end by a score of 10-5. Forza #Italia! #LetsMakeItHappen

by Roberto Angotti