A little Moore on lefty's first start

A few goodies in the Rays' Friday notes on the historical significance of Matt Moore's first major league start Thursday. He tossed five shutout innings and struck out 11 in Tampa Bay's 15-8 win at the Yankees.

Moore's 11 Ks were the most in a first start since Stephen Strasburg punched out 14 last year against Pittsburgh. They were the most in a first start by an American Leaguer since Tim Hudson totaled 12 for Oakland against San Diego in June 1999.

Also, since 1919, only one other pitcher making his first start had at least 11 strikeouts and held the Yankees scoreless. That was Cleveland's Luis Tiant over nine innings on July 19, 1964.

The 11 Ks were the most by a left-hander in his first major league start since San Diego's Bob Shirley had 11 at Cincinnati on April 10, 1977.

Moore, at 22 years, 97 days old, was the youngest pitcher to have double-digit strikeouts at the Yankees since Detroit's Hal Newhouser fanned 14 on May 27, 1943. Newhouser was 22 years, 7 days old.