SB Nation Tampa Bay - Rays 9-5 Over Pirates, Bullpen And Bench Shinehttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49019/tb-fave.png2011-03-25T19:42:49-04:00http://tampabay.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18358812011-03-25T19:42:49-04:002011-03-25T19:42:49-04:00Niemann Ks Six, Bullpen Has Strong Outing In Rays Win
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<p><span>Jeff Niemann</span> pitched for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> today, in a 9-5 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a>. Niemann struggled through this outing. Many pitches seemed wild and one even got past <span>Kelly Shoppach</span> to allow a run in the second. </p>
<p>Niemann would give up three earned runs on nine hits with six strikeouts. A positive to see Ks on the board, but Niemann's pitches will need to settle down. Control will be Jim Hickey's focus as Niemann prepares for the regular season this week. The "Big Nyquill" projects as the Rays fifth starter, and will see his first action of the regular season against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in Tampa. </p>
<p><b>Notes:</b></p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span>Joel Peralta</span>, <span>Cesar Ramos</span>, and <span>Andy Sonnanstine</span> all get high marks for closing out the last three innings. Only Andy allowed one hit or one walk. All three men are expected to make <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/24/2069693/2011-rays-preview-the-bullpen" target="_blank"> </a><a target="_blank" href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/24/2069693/2011-rays-preview-the-bullpen">the Rays bullpen</a> this season. This bodes very well for Ramos, whose position has the most competition this Spring.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Longoria was hit by a pitch with bases loaded to bring a runner home in the fifth. <span>Manny Ramirez</span> then took a walk to score yet another! It's great to see patience from Tampa's new power hitter.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Competitors for the bench outfield position were on fire today. <span>Justin Ruggiano</span> had two hits and three RBIs in two at bats, while <span>Sam Fuld</span> scored a run and garnered two hits and two RBIs in three at bats. The only other batter with two hits today was backup infield hopeful <span>Elliot Johnson</span>.</span></li>
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<span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"></span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">Rookie </span><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><span>Jeremy Hellickson</span> will get the start tomorrow against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a>. </span>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/tampa-bay-rays/2011/3/25/2072576/niemann-ks-six-bullpen-has-strong-outing-in-rays-winDaniel Russell2011-03-25T13:20:41-04:002011-03-25T13:20:41-04:00Rays, Neimann Host The Pirates
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> host the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> today at 1:05. </p>
<p><span>Jeff Niemann</span> will take the mound. Niemann ended last season with poor stats after a shoulder injury. His performance this spring has been impressive, he and <span>David Price</span> have both pitched ERA's below 3.50. </p>
<p>Todays Line-up: <a href="http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/spring-game-report-rays-vs-pirates-1" target="_blank">via Marc Topkin</a></p>
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<p>Zobrist rf<br>E. Johnson 2b<br>Longoria 3b<br>Ramirez DH<br>D. Johnson 1b<br>Upton cf<br>Shoppach c<br>Brignac ss<br>Fuld lf</p>
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<p><span>Johnny Damon</span> and <span>Sean Rodriguez</span> are getting some well deserved rest today, both men hit RBI doubles in yesterday's <a href="http://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/24/2069735/wade-davis-rays-take-houston-astros" target="_blank">11-3 victory </a>over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a>. </p>
<p>Also from Topkin, <span>John Jaso</span> is on the road to recovery from a groin contusion earlier this month. He is slated to catch a few minor league innings Saturday.</p>
<p><b>People to keep your eye on:</b></p>
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<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Sam Fuld</span> is striving for the fourth outfield slot, and has been making quite a case thus far. He blasted a homerun yesterday, and has three stolen bases on the preseason. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 12px;"><span>Elliot Johnson</span> is batting second in the line up. Rookie Johnson is competing with veteran <span>Felipe Lopez</span> for the backup infield position. Johnson currently has 11 stolen bases, compared to Lopez's 0. </span></li>
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https://tampabay.sbnation.com/2011/3/25/2332166/rays-neimann-host-the-piratesDaniel Russell