Rough return for Niemann

Posted Aug 25, 2010 by Roger Mooney

Updated Aug 25, 2010 at 04:26 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ANAHEIM— Jeff Niemann’s first start after being activated from the disabled list was a rough one.

He lasted 3 1/3 innings this afternoon against the Angels.

Niemann, who missed three starts with a strained right shoulder, allowed a career-high 10 runs on eight hits, including a grand slam by Mike Napoli in the third inning. He also allowed three doubles and walked three, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch.

He threw 76 pitches, 44 for strikes.

The Angels scored four times off Niemann in the first inning, four times off him in the third and added two more in the fourth, though those two runs were let in by Andy Sonnanstine, who replaced Niemann with one out and runners on first and second and walked the first two batters he faced before giving up a two-out, two-run double.

The Rays trailed 11-1 after four.