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Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

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Torres impressive after Niemann’s early exit

Posted Sep 24, 2011 by Roger Mooney

Updated Sep 24, 2011 at 09:08 PM

ROGER MOONEY
ST. PETERSBURG For the second straight Saturday a left-handed rookie came out of the bullpen to replace Jeff Niemann and held the other team in check.

Last week it was Matt Moore, who came on in the sixth inning and tossed three innings against the Red Sox in a game the Rays

Tonight it was Alex Torres, who replaced Niemann in the second and threw five shutout innings against the Blue Jays and enabled the Rays to take a 3-2 lead into the seventh.

Niemann allowed two runs on two hits and two walks in the first inning and didn’t return for the second. No word on why Niemann didn’t return. Could be his back, which stiffened up after his last start, or could be manager Joe Maddon didn’t want to see anymore of him in such a big game.

With the Red Sox losing earlier in the evening to the Yankees, the Rays can move to within 1 ½ games of the Wild Card with a victory.

Torres, who has not been sharp in any of his three appearances with the big club this season, allowed three hits and a walk (it was intentional) and hit one batter, Jose Bautista.

He stands to pick up his first career victory if the Rays can hold on to this lead.