Rays 8, Brewers 4
Jeff Niemann pitched six scoreless innings in his first start since May 4 and Evan Longoria's three-run homer capped a late offensive outburst to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 8-4 victory over the host Milwaukee Brewers on Monday.
Niemann (2-4) missed seven weeks with a lower back strain, but gave the Rays a solid outing as he allowed four hits and three walks. He worked out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the sixth and was lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh.
Brewers starter Chris Narveson (4-5) matched Niemann most of the way. After allowing a run in the first, he held the Rays scoreless until back-to-back RBI doubles by Justin Ruggiano and Ben Zobrist sparked a four-run seventh.
Longoria added his sixth home run in the eighth.
Milwaukee's Jonathan Lucroy led off the seventh with a solo home run to center field, his seventh of the season and his first since May 31.
The Brewers' Prince Fielder added to his National League lead with his 62nd RBI on a single in the ninth.
The loss dropped Milwaukee one-half game behind St. Louis in the National League Central.
After pinch-hitting for reliever J.P. Howell in the eighth, Rays outfielder Sam Fuld warmed up as if he was going to pitch the bottom half, but it was just a ploy to get Cesar Ramos a little more time to warm up in the bullpen.