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Shields strikes out eight over six innings

Ready to complete a Citrus Series sweep of the Marlins on Sunday, the Rays will send the right man to the mound in Miami.

In two Interleague starts against Miami last season, James Shields racked up two wins by pitching two shutouts. He also combined to surrender only seven hits.

Winless in his last four starts, Shields is hoping his track record against the Marlins will help him get back in the win column.

"Interleague is always an exciting time, we get to face the pitchers," Shields said. "Right now, I'm just focused on getting back on track. The last couple of outings haven't been where I want it to be. Just get back on track and hopefully we can build off that last win."

Shields' biggest goal in Sunday's game is to stay away from any big innings, something that hurt him in his last start against the Yankees. Giving up a grand slam to Russell Martin in the fourth inning, Shields tossed five innings and surrendered seven runs on seven hits for his fourth loss.

"I'm trying to stay away from that big inning. I think that's what's hurt me the last couple of games," Shields said. "I've been pitching really well in games and the next thing you know, just that one inning kind of kills me a little bit. So try to minimize my damage a little bit and try to go deeper into the games."

He'll be up against right-hander Anibal Sanchez, who is also trying to get back on track after his worst start of the season.

Surrendering a season-high seven runs on eight hits to the Braves on Tuesday, Sanchez tossed 6 2/3 innings. It marked the right-hander's fourth loss in his last five starts.

"The last game he was a little bit overthrowing at times and stuff, balls up in the zone and rushing a little bit and stuff," Marlins pitching coach Randy St. Claire said. "He threw a side [session on Friday], threw really good. He's been really good all year, too, so a little blip for him on the screen and hopefully he gets back on track in this next start."

Rays: Longoria progressing
Recovering from a partially torn left hamstring, Evan Longoria ran on Saturday and said afterward he felt encouraged about the exercise.

"It felt good, it felt good, like I anticipated," Longoria said. "I think we're still moving in the right direction."

The All-Star third baseman said his goal is to return to St. Petersburg and run the bases on Tuesday.

Marlins: Morrison expected to be in lineup Sunday
After Logan Morrison was given a few days off to clear his mind of the struggles he's had at the plate, he is expected to be back in the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the Rays.

"He'll be back. We need this kid," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said. "Hopefully, mentally [the two days off] helped him. ... This kid has struggled this month and last month, and we need him to get back on track. We're a better ballclub when he's in the lineup."

Morrison is in the middle of a 0-for-18 skid at the plate. He's also batting just .120 (3-for-25) in the month of June, with his season average at .214.

Worth Noting
• Since May 12, Jose Reyes has posted a .347 average (26-for-75) at home, recording at least one hit in 17 of 19 games.

• The Rays are 121-134 all-time in Interleague play, but are 65-48 under Joe Maddon and 14-4 since May 22, 2011.

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