Fifth starter he might be, but Jeff Niemann turned in a third consecutive strong show in a 7-1 victory against the Twins on Monday night. And right on cue the Rays' offense turned up to more than double their run production of the two previous games combined.
The victory stopped a two-game losing streak and gave the defending American League champions (8-12) a chance to win a series – something they haven't done since their opening trip to Boston – and bring some momentum back for a home stand against the Red Sox, Orioles and Yankees.
"That's exactly what we're looking for to get things going our way," said first baseman Carlos Pena, who hit his ninth home run and had a triple and three RBIs to tie a club record for most RBIs through April with 24. "Momentum is important. When you have a good positive energy and you can roll with it, it can do wonders for you."
Niemann (2-2) pitched 5 2/3 innings in his sixth major-league start and allowed one run on three hits. Joe Crede's two-out solo homer in the sixth accounted for the only damage, although Niemann did tie a career record with four walk and hit a batter. Since an opening loss at Baltimore on April 11 in which he pitched well after the first inning, Niemann has gone 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA.
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