PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- There was a point Sunday afternoon when it looked like Joe Boyle might have lost the strike zone.

After firing a pair of strikes to Oswaldo Cabrera with one out and a runner on first in the first inning, Boyle threw four straight balls and walked him. Up came Pablo Reyes, who took five consecutive pitches for another walk. Boyle took a deep breath, a moment to recalibrate himself on the mound, and bounced back to strike out Jorbit Vivas before getting a first-pitch groundout from Alex Jackson.

It was a relatively low-stakes escape in the first inning of a Spring Training game, but it was another encouraging sign for Boyle in a camp that has been full of promise.

“It takes practice. I’ve definitely had outings in the past where I don’t do it, so I’m glad that I’m learning to do it and making those adjustments and getting better at it,” Boyle said during the Rays’ 7-5 loss to the Yankees at Charlotte Sports Park. “Because it’s hard. It doesn’t get any easier, but you just get better at doing it.”

Boyle’s focus all spring has been harnessing his electric stuff, including a triple-digit fastball, a reliable slider and a devastating splitter. If he can get ahead of hitters and limit his walks – the issue that has held him back in the past – the 25-year-old right-hander could quickly develop into a strong starter in the Majors.

Since joining the Rays, Boyle has only taken steps in the right direction. Working with catcher Danny Jansen, Boyle didn’t walk another batter after that sequence in the first on Sunday. Overall, he allowed six hits and struck out five while throwing 69 pitches over 3 1/3 innings.

“When you do that, and you’re intent on throwing the ball over the plate basically every pitch, you’re going to give up some hits. But we’ll take that tradeoff,” manager Kevin Cash said. “As he gets more comfortable with that, I think a lot of good results will follow. But we couldn’t be happier with the way he’s thrown the ball.”

Pitching coach Kyle Snyder echoed that sentiment, noting the importance of Boyle’s ability to make those on-the-fly adjustments in consecutive outings. Boyle said it’s more of a mental process for him, calming his mind and letting his body do the rest.

“Major League pitchers make it within an inning. If he gets to the point where he can make it within an at-bat, then you’re really in trouble,” Snyder said. “That’s all about body control and some of the things that we’re trying to reinforce with him.

“Really encouraged, just overall, with what he’s done here. He should be flying sky-high right now and realizing his true capabilities.”

With an already-crowded rotation, Boyle seems to be on the outside looking in. But he has certainly made a positive impression on the Rays staff this spring, striking out 15 against five walks with five runs (four earned) allowed in 10 2/3 innings.

“I’m proud of the work I put in. I’m really grateful to be here, and they’ve definitely expressed their confidence in me,” Boyle said. “And that feels really good. I think any player would like to hear that.”

Around the horn
• Left fielder Christopher Morel, batting just .182 with a .509 OPS this spring, launched a solo shot over the boardwalk beyond the left-center-field fence in the sixth inning.

“That was probably a little bit of a relief for him,” Cash said. “He’s been grinding through some at-bats. It’s always good to get into a ball like that.”

• After allowing four runs on three hits Friday night against the Twins, Edwin Uceta had a second straight rough outing, allowing a pair of homers against the Yankees.

“I know it's a little bit shocking when he gives up anything because of how good he was for us last year -- and [I] fully believe and trust he'll get there,” Cash said. “But [he’s had] two back-to-back outings where it's been a little bit trying for him. He'll bounce back.”

• Bench coach Rodney Linares managed the Rays’ split-squad 11-5 win against the Nationals on Sunday at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. It was a big day for outfielder Jake Mangum, who homered twice and drove in four runs, and infield prospect Tanner Murray, who had three hits and a homer. Josh Lowe went 2-for-3 with a homer, his first of the spring.

• With a group of Rays on the east coast of Florida for a game against the Mets on Monday, Opening Day starter Shane McClanahan will pitch in a camp game on Monday morning at Charlotte Sports Park. Right-hander Ryan Pepiot is slated to pitch six innings in a Minor League game on Tuesday, an off-day for the team.