ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 3 (UPI) -- Jeff Niemann, with grand-slam support from Ben Zobrist, threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout Wednesday to bring Tampa Bay a 9-0 win over Kansas City.
Niemann (5-4) started for only the 13th time in his two-year career with the Rays and went the distance for the first time.
He retired 14 batters in a row to start the game before finally giving up a two-out single to Mark Teahen in the fifth. The only other Kansas City hit came from Alberto Callaspo -- a two-out, infield single in the ninth. Niemann walked one and struck out nine.
Tampa Bay already had a 3-0 lead through three innings when Zobrist hit his grand slam in the fourth to break it open. It was his 10th homer of the season and came off Brian Bannister (4-3).
Bannister allowed eight runs on nine hits in 3 2/3 innings.
