Rays’ Niemann posts 11th ‘W’
Rookie Jeff Niemann allowed one run over 7 1/3 innings for his 11th win of the season, and Pat Burrell, Ben Zobrist and B.J. Upton hit solo homers as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 Wednesday night.
Niemann (11-5) lost his shutout bid when the last batter he faced, Brian Roberts, hit a solo homer with one out in the eighth. The right-hander, who has won seven of his last eight decisions, gave up seven hits and one walk, striking out five.
J.P. Howell pitched the ninth for his 14th save. Tampa Bay has won four straight after a five-game losing streak.
Chris Tillman (1-1) allowed the three homers among seven hits over six-plus innings for the Orioles, who are 8-24 since the All-Star break and dropped to a season-high 24 games under .500 (48-72).
Niemann worked out of a bases-loaded, no-outs jam in the fifth. Shortstop Jason Bartlett dived to knock down a liner by Cesar Izturis and threw home for a forceout. Roberts then grounded into a double play.
Burrell put the Rays ahead 1-0 with his 12th homer in the fourth. He had a solo shot in Tuesday’s 5-4 win over the Orioles.