Jason Bartlett homers twice, Niemann solid as Rays beat Blue Jays 5-3

Bartlett homers twice in Rays win over Blue Jays

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — Jason Bartlett homered twice and Jeff Niemann pitched five solid innings, helping the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Wednesday.

Niemann allowed two runs and seven hits. He walked one and struck three in the longest of his five outings this spring. Bartlett hit a solo homer off left-hander Dana Eveland in the fourth and another off right-hander Jeremy Accardo in the sixth.

Lyle Overbay went 3 for 3 and had an RBI single and run-scoring double off Niemann for the Blue Jays. Alex Gonzalez hit a solo homer off Rays reliever Rafael Soriano.

Tampa Bay set its starting pitching rotation, with manager Joe Maddon naming rookie Wade Davis the fifth starter. The other candidate was right-hander Andy Sonnanstine, who was moved to the bullpen.