MLB: Tampa Bay 6, Boston 2 (2nd game)

BOSTON, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- Jeff Niemann fired a complete-game three-hitter Tuesday, striking out 10 Red Sox batters, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Boston 6-2 for a double-header split.

Niemann (8-4) earned his seventh straight decision, yielding one walk and solo homers to Jason Varitek and Jacoby Ellsbury, as the Rays bounced back in the nightcap after losing Tuesday's first game 3-1.

B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist each posted three hits and scored two runs while Desmond Jennings hit a solo homer for Tampa Bay, which won for the sixth time in eight games.

Erik Bedard (4-8) absorbed the loss for Boston, surrendering seven hits and three runs (one earned) over six frames.