Rays Drop Finale With Pirates, 6-5

Jeff Niemann started the game for Tampa Bay – facing just three batters, allowing no hits, and striking out second baseman Neil Walker. The Rays jumped out to an early 4-0 lead thanks to RBI’s from Manny Ramirez, Johnny Damon, and Ben Zobrist.

Aside from looking solid at the plate, Ramirez turned a few heads during Monday’s Game. He scored the Rays’ first run sliding home during the second inning on a wild pitch from Bryan Morris, then ran down a ball in leftfield to retire the Pirates in the bottom of the second inning.

Reliever Kyle Farnsworth also made his debut for the Rays. Three batters faced. No hits. No runs. Joel Peralta came out of the bullpen and pitched, allowing no runs. This, despite taking a line drive to the back of his calf. There was no serious injury sustained by Peralta.

The Pirates tied the game in the fourth inning when Mike Ekstrom gave up a three run homer to Garrett Atkins. A wild pitch from Rays’ reliever Cory Wade then put the Pirates up 5-4.