GDT: 7/28/10 - DET (51-48) AT TB (61-38) - 7:10 p.m. ET

Niemann aims to duplicate Garza's gem

By Rhett Bollinger / MLB.com

After watching fellow Rays right-hander Matt Garza throw the first no-hitter in franchise history against the Tigers on Monday, right-hander Jeff Niemann admitted he has a little extra inspiration going into his start on Wednesday opposite Detroit right-hander Eddie Bonine.

Niemann said he's never thrown a no-hitter at any level, but that he wouldn't mind someday joining Garza on the storied list of pitchers who have thrown no-hitters -- even if it doesn't come on Wednesday.

"It's definitely one of the things you train for and work for, for sure," Niemann said. "It's a lot of luck involved, too."

Niemann, however, lost his last start, a 3-1 decision on Friday in Cleveland in a rain-shortened seven-inning game. He went five innings and surrendered two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out four. He only left the game after five innings and 83 pitches because of a long rain delay.

But at least he won't have to worry about rain on Wednesday with the game played at Tropicana Field, which of course is a domed stadium.

Manager Joe Maddon, though, says it'll be important for Niemann and all of his pitchers not to try too hard to put any extra pressure on themselves to throw a no-hitter like Garza.

"All of our pitchers, I know they're all going to be inspired by [Monday] and what Matt did, but just go out there and be themselves -- that's all I want them to do," Maddon said. "Nothing special."

Bonine, meanwhile, will making his first start since last September but has been solid out of the bullpen this season with a 4-0 record and a 2.72 ERA in 46 1/3 innings pitched.

Tigers: Bonderman to miss Red Sox series
The Tigers shuffled their rotation to move up both Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander against the Red Sox this weekend to skip Jeremy Bonderman to give him two starts next week. "What we wanted to avoid is sending somebody down and bringing somebody up," Tigers manager Jim Leyland said.

Rays: Upton tweaks left ankle
Center fielder B.J. Upton exited Tuesday's 3-2 win over the Tigers in the first inning with a left ankle sprain after running down a ball in center field and is listed as day-to-day. "From the feeling of it right now, it's not even close to what it was," Upton said. "This definitely is a day-to-day situation and we'll see how it feels tomorrow, and we'll go from there."

Worth noting
The Commissioner's Office is reviewing Tigers manager Jim Leyland's ejection Monday night by second-base umpire Marty Foster, where a misunderstanding set off a rant from Leyland. Leyland said after Monday's game that Foster accused him of spitting on him, which Leyland vehemently denies. ... Fans who attend the "Maddon Summer Social" at Tropicana Field on Aug. 15 in the Whitney Bank Club will receive a game ticket from Monday night's no-hitter. The social is part of the club's broadcast fundraiser that benefits the Rays Baseball Foundation. ... Garza's no-no, the first for Tampa Bay, also marked the 500th home win in club history.



Pitching matchup

TIGERS: RHP Eddie Bonine (4-0, 2.72 ERA)
Bonine has spent the entire season in the bullpen, but with Sunday's day-night doubleheader forcing the Tigers to use a spot starter, manager Jim Leyland turns to Bonine and his knuckle-curveball combination for his first start since September.

RAYS: RHP Jeff Niemann (8-3, 2.95 ERA)
Niemann allowed two runs on five hits against the Indians on Friday to take his third loss of the season. The 6-foot-9 right-hander is 0-1 with a 2.04 ERA in three career appearances against Detroit; he is 10-5 with a 2.94 ERA in 25 career appearances at Tropicana Field.


From MLB Tigers Game Notes


INJURY UPDATE:
• 2B Carlos Guillen (right calf strain, 15-day DL on July 25),
• 3B Brandon Inge (non-displaced fracture of fifth metacarpal in left hand, 15-day DL on July 20), (OUT FOR 4-6 WEEKS)
• RHP Zach Miner (right elbow tendinitis, 60-day DL on March 26),
• OF Magglio Ordonez (right ankle fracture, 15-day DL on July 25), (OUT FOR 6-8 WEEKS)
• LHP Bobby Seay (left shoulder strain, 60-day DL on March 26),
• RHP Joel Zumaya (non-displaced fracture of the olecranon, 60-day DL on June 29).


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Up next (Probable Pitchers)


• Thursday, July 29,
TIGERS (RHP Rick Porcello (4-8, 5.55 ERA)) AT Rays (LHP David Price (13-5, 2.90 ERA)), 12:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Friday, July 30,
TIGERS (RHP Armando Galarraga (3-3, 4.43 ERA)) AT Red Sox (LHP Jon Lester (11-5, 2.92 ERA)), 7:10 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Saturday, July 31,
TIGERS (RHP Max Scherzer (7-8, 4.45 ERA)) AT Red Sox (RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka (7-3, 4.09 ERA)), 4:10 p.m. ET (FOX / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

• Sunday, August 1,
TIGERS (RHP Justin Verlander (12-6, 3.74 ERA)) AT Red Sox (RHP Clay Buchholz (11-5, 2.71 ERA)), 1:35 p.m. ET (FS-D HD / AM 1270 & 97.1 FM)

STARTING LINEUPS:

Detroit AVG
Rhymes, 2B .167
Damon, LF .282
Larish, DH .167
Cabrera, M, 1B .349
Boesch, RF .305
Raburn, CF .205
Sizemore, 3B .204
Avila, C .209
Worth, SS .250
Totals .271

Tampa Bay AVG
Zobrist, CF .270
Crawford, LF .311
Longoria, 3B .291
Pena, C, 1B .205
Joyce, RF .232
Aybar, W, DH .259
Jaso, J, C .264
Brignac, R, 2B .274
Bartlett, SS .244
Totals .254

Inning 1
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Will Rhymes singles on a soft line drive to right fielder Matt Joyce.


B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Johnny Damon doubles (26) on a line drive to left fielder Carl Crawford. Will Rhymes scores.

DET 1, TB 0




B:0 S:2 O:0 -
Jeff Larish singles on a ground ball to center fielder Ben Zobrist. Johnny Damon scores.

DET 2, TB 0




B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera lines out to center fielder Ben Zobrist.


B:0 S:0 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch grounds into double play, second baseman Reid Brignac to first baseman Carlos Pena. Jeff Larish out at 2nd.

DET 2, TB 0 after .5 inning

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:0 -
Ben Zobrist singles on a line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Carl Crawford pops out to third baseman Scott Sizemore.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Evan Longoria flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Carlos Pena batting, Ben Zobrist steals (21) 2nd base.


B:3 S:1 O:2 -
With Carlos Pena batting, Ben Zobrist steals (22) 3rd base.


B:4 S:1 O:2 -
Carlos Pena walks.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Matt Joyce singles on a soft line drive to left fielder Johnny Damon. Ben Zobrist scores. Carlos Pena to 2nd.

DET 2, TB 1

B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Willy Aybar called out on .

DET 2, TB 1 after 1 inning

Inning 2
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out to first baseman Carlos Pena.


B:3 S:1 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, shortstop Jason Bartlett to first baseman Carlos Pena.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Alex Avila grounds out, shortstop Jason Bartlett to first baseman Carlos Pena.

DET 2, TB 1 after 1.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:1 -
John Jaso flies out to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:0 S:2 O:1 -
Reid Brignac singles on a ground ball to shortstop Danny Worth.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Jason Bartlett grounds out, third baseman Scott Sizemore to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Reid Brignac to 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Ben Zobrist grounds out, second baseman Will Rhymes to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 2, TB 1 after 2 innings

Inning 3
Top Half

B:3 S:3 O:1 -
Danny Worth out on foul tip.


B:1 S:0 O:2 -
Will Rhymes grounds out, second baseman Reid Brignac to first baseman Carlos Pena.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Johnny Damon homers (7) on a line drive to right field.

DET 3, TB 1

B:3 S:2 O:3 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, third baseman Evan Longoria to first baseman Carlos Pena.

DET 3, TB 1 after 2.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:2 O:0 -
Carl Crawford singles on a soft ground ball to shortstop Danny Worth.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Evan Longoria singles on a ground ball to left fielder Johnny Damon. Carl Crawford to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:0 - Carlos Pena singles on a ground ball to
right fielder Brennan Boesch, deflected by second baseman Will Rhymes.
Carl Crawford scores. Evan Longoria to 2nd.

DET 3, TB 2




B:0 S:0 O:1 - Matt Joyce grounds into a force out,
first baseman Miguel Cabrera to shortstop Danny Worth. Evan Longoria to
3rd. Carlos Pena out at 2nd. Matt Joyce to 1st.


B:1 S:1 O:2 - Willy Aybar grounds into a force out,
shortstop Danny Worth to second baseman Will Rhymes. Evan Longoria
scores. Matt Joyce out at 2nd. Willy Aybar to 1st.

DET 3, TB 3



B:2 S:2 O:3 -
John Jaso grounds out, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

DET 3, TB 3 after 3 innings

Inning 4
Top Half

B:4 S:2 O:0 -
Miguel Cabrera walks.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Brennan Boesch lines out to second baseman Reid Brignac.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn singles on a ground ball to left fielder Carl Crawford. Miguel Cabrera to 2nd.


B:1 S:1 O:3 - Scott Sizemore grounds into double play,
shortstop Jason Bartlett to second baseman Reid Brignac to first
baseman Carlos Pena. Ryan Raburn out at 2nd.

DET 3, TB 3 after 3.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:1 S:1 O:0 -
Reid Brignac doubles (12) on a line drive to center fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:2 S:0 O:0 - Jason Bartlett singles on a ground ball
to center fielder Ryan Raburn. Reid Brignac scores. Jason Bartlett to
2nd on the throw.

TB 4, DET 3

B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Sean Rodriguez flies out to center fielder Ryan Raburn. Jason Bartlett to 3rd.



B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:0 S:0 O:1 -
Pitcher Change: Brad Thomas replaces Eddie Bonine.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Carl Crawford grounds out, second baseman Will Rhymes to first baseman Miguel Cabrera. Jason Bartlett scores.

TB 5, DET 3




B:2 S:0 O:2 -
Evan Longoria singles on a line drive to right fielder Brennan Boesch.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Carlos Pena hit by pitch. Evan Longoria to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Matt Joyce grounds out to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TB 5, DET 3 after 4 innings

Inning 5
Top Half

B:3 S:2 O:0 -
Alex Avila singles on a line drive to center fielder Sean Rodriguez.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Danny Worth grounds out, third baseman Evan Longoria to first baseman Carlos Pena. Alex Avila to 2nd.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:1 S:1 O:2 -
Will Rhymes flies out to right fielder Matt Joyce.


B:0 S:3 O:3 -
Johnny Damon out swinging.

TB 5, DET 3 after 4.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:1 O:0 -
Willy Aybar singles on a ground ball to left fielder Johnny Damon.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
John Jaso singles on a bunt ground ball to third baseman Scott Sizemore. Willy Aybar to 2nd.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Ben Zobrist left the game due to an injured back.


B:0 S:0 O:1 - Reid Brignac grounds into a force out,
pitcher Brad Thomas to shortstop Danny Worth. Willy Aybar to 3rd. John
Jaso out at 2nd. Reid Brignac to 1st.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Jason Bartlett reaches on a fielder's
choice out, catcher Alex Avila to pitcher Brad Thomas. Willy Aybar out
at home. Reid Brignac to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
With Sean Rodriguez batting, wild pitch by Brad Thomas, Reid Brignac to 3rd. Jason Bartlett to 2nd.


B:2 S:1 O:3 -
Sean Rodriguez pops out to third baseman Scott Sizemore.

TB 5, DET 3 after 5 innings

Inning 6
Top Half

B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Jeff Larish grounds out, second baseman Reid Brignac to first baseman Carlos Pena.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Miguel Cabrera homers (25) on a fly ball to left field.

TB 5, DET 4




B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Brennan Boesch called out on .


B:4 S:2 O:2 -
Ryan Raburn walks.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore singles on a line drive to center fielder Sean Rodriguez. Ryan Raburn to 2nd.


B:0 S:1 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Alex Avila out on foul tip.

TB 5, DET 4 after 5.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Carl Crawford grounds out, shortstop Danny Worth to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Evan Longoria walks.


B:1 S:0 O:1 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:2 S:1 O:1 -
Carlos Pena singles on a line drive to center fielder Ryan Raburn. Evan Longoria to 2nd.

B:2 S:1 O:3 - Matt Joyce grounds into double play,
third baseman Scott Sizemore to second baseman Will Rhymes to first
baseman Miguel Cabrera. Carlos Pena out at 2nd.

TB 5, DET 4 after 6 innings

Inning 7
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Grant Balfour replaces Jeff Niemann.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Offensive Substitution: Pinch hitter Ramon Santiago replaces Danny Worth.


B:0 S:3 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago out swinging.


B:1 S:1 O:1 -
Will Rhymes doubles (1) on a line drive to right fielder Matt Joyce.


B:4 S:1 O:1 -
Johnny Damon walks.


B:1 S:3 O:2 -
Jeff Larish out swinging.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Grant Balfour intentionally walks Miguel Cabrera. Will Rhymes to 3rd. Johnny Damon to 2nd.


B:4 S:0 O:2 -
Coaching visit to mound.


B:1 S:2 O:3 -
Brennan Boesch flies out to left fielder Carl Crawford.

TB 5, DET 4 after 6.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Ramon Santiago remains in the game as the shortstop.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Phil Coke replaces Brad Thomas.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Willy Aybar pops out to shortstop Ramon Santiago.


B:0 S:3 O:2 -
John Jaso out swinging.


B:0 S:1 O:3 -
Reid Brignac grounds out, second baseman Will Rhymes to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.

TB 5, DET 4 after 7 innings

Inning 8
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Joaquin Benoit replaces Grant Balfour.


B:3 S:1 O:1 -
Ryan Raburn grounds out, third baseman Evan Longoria to first baseman Carlos Pena.


B:0 S:0 O:2 -
Scott Sizemore grounds out, third baseman Evan Longoria to first baseman Carlos Pena.


B:3 S:3 O:3 -
Alex Avila out swinging.

TB 5, DET 4 after 7.5 innings

Bottom Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Ryan Perry replaces Phil Coke.


B:3 S:2 O:1 -
Jason Bartlett grounds out, pitcher Ryan Perry to first baseman Miguel Cabrera.


B:1 S:2 O:1 -
Sean Rodriguez singles on a line drive to center fielder Ryan Raburn.


B:0 S:0 O:2 - Carl Crawford grounds into a force out,
shortstop Ramon Santiago to second baseman Will Rhymes. Sean Rodriguez
out at 2nd. Carl Crawford to 1st.


B:1 S:2 O:2 -
Evan Longoria homers (15) on a fly ball to left field. Carl Crawford scores.

TB 7, DET 4

B:2 S:3 O:3 -
Carlos Pena called out on .

TB 7, DET 4 after 8 innings

Inning 9
Top Half

B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Defensive Substitution: Gabe Kapler replaces right fielder Matt Joyce, batting 5th, playing right field.


B:0 S:0 O:0 -
Pitcher Change: Rafael Soriano replaces Joaquin Benoit.


B:0 S:1 O:1 -
Ramon Santiago flies out softly to left fielder Carl Crawford.


B:2 S:1 O:2 -
Will Rhymes flies out to left fielder Carl Crawford.


B:1 S:1 O:3 -
Johnny Damon flies out to center fielder Sean Rodriguez.

TB 7, DET 4 final box score > click here <