Jeff Niemann shines as Tampa Bay Rays defeat Boston Red Sox 6-2 – Game 2
Tampa Bay Rays’ starter, Jeff Niemann outclassed the batters with his pitching as he struck-out 10 batters over his nine pitched innings and gave up only one walk in the Rays’ 6-2 win against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Boston on August 16.
In first inning, both teams struggled as they lost their key players on easy pitches. At the top of first inning, Rays’ left-fielder, Desmond Jennings struck-out looking, Johnny Damon grounded out to short-stop position and at second base Evan Longoria popped
out. Similarly, Adrian Gonzalez walked at the bottom of first inning but Jacoby Ellsbury struck-out and at left-field Dustin Pedroia flied out without taking runs.
Rays’ batters scored two runs during second inning and took a 2-0 lead. Sean Rodriguez reached towards third base on the fielder’s throwing error and Ben Zobrist posted a single run. The second run for Rays was taken by B.J. Upton when Matt Joyce was grounded
out to second base and Rodriguez moved to third base to end the second inning.
During third inning, Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek hit a solo homer (411 feet) towards right-field to reduce his team’s lead 2-1. Niemann pitched superbly in fourth inning also and did not give any run to Red Sox batters. Throughout the game, Niemann surrendered
just three hits, two runs and two earned runs with an ERA of 3.29. He walked one and gave up two home-runs on his 114 pitches.
Rays extended their lead 3-1 during fifth inning when Jennings hit a solo homer (415 feet) to left-field. At the bottom of sixth inning, Ellsbury also homered (403 feet) towards right-field to cut the deficit of Red Sox to 3-2. Mike Aviles and Carl Crawford
both struck-out swinging during seventh inning without taking even a single run.
In eighth inning, Rays took a 6-2 lead by smashing three runs. Longoria scored one run on the drive of Upton to centre-field while Zobrist stole home plate to add up second run for Rays. The third or last run for Rays was taken by Upton when Casey Kotchman
singled off centre-field. Upton moved to second base to end the eighth inning.
However, Rays were able to tie the three-game series 1-1, after having a comfortable victory.
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