Liam Hicks could hardly have scripted a louder entrance for the Tampa Bay Rays.
In his first game after arriving from the Miami Marlins in a deadline-day trade, the catcher launched a third-inning grand slam off Colorado Rockies starter Gabriel Hughes and helped power the American League leaders to a 9-7 win Tuesday. It was the kind of debut that turns heads fast, and Hicks knew it.
"I mean, it went pretty well, yeah," Hicks told MLB.com's Adam Berry with a grin. "Not exactly how I probably drew it up, but I mean, I'm really happy with how it went and excited we got the win."
The blast made Hicks the first player in franchise history to hit a grand slam in his debut. It was also the first grand slam of his career and Tampa Bay’s first grand slam of the season.
For Hicks, the moment came with the kind of release that only a big swing can bring.
"Just relieved," the 27-year-old said. "You feel the pressure, even though you're not trying to put pressure on yourself (in the) first game, but it's really nice to get that one out of the way and just kind of be able to breathe a little bit."
The Rays paid a steep price to land him at the deadline, sending infield prospects Brayden Taylor and Adrian Santana and right-hander Jacob Kisting to the Marlins. On Tuesday, Hicks wasted no time making that move look worthwhile.
"He made a lot of new friends real quick," Rays manager Kevin Cash said of Hicks postgame.
Cash didn’t stop there.
"I don't know if you can make a better (first impression). He made a really good first impression. You don't get a second chance at it, so good for him."
Tampa Bay needed every bit of that jolt, too, because the rest of the night was far less smooth for another newcomer.
Freddy Peralta, Hicks’ battery mate, didn’t enjoy nearly the same kind of Rays debut. He allowed seven runs on nine hits and was lifted after 3 2/3 innings. Peralta was in line for the loss before Tampa Bay rallied with a two-run ninth to tie the game and then finished the comeback in the 11th.
"I know that this is a new opportunity, and people have been helping me really well here," Peralta said. "I know I'm gonna get better, because we're gonna work for that."
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