Jeff Niemann came within one out of his first complete game of the season on Friday, allowing four runs on seven hits in Tampa Bay's 8-4 victory over the A's. Niemann allowed just two runs through his first eight innings of work, but served up a solo home run to Hideki Matsui and RBI triple to Cliff Pennington before getting yanked with two outs in the ninth. Nevertheless, he struck out eight in what was another solid start. Now the owner of a 3.58 ERA and 1.22 WHIP, he'll get the Royals at home his next time out.