NewsBehind Shields, Rays can lock up series
Tampa Bay (10-15) vs. Boston (15-9), 1:38 p.m. ET
By Alden Gonzalez / MLB.com
05/03/09 1:02 AM ET
ST. PETERSBURG -- The streak can finally end on Sunday.Going into that game -- the finale of a four-game series against the Red Sox -- the Rays have dropped six straight series. But Tampa Bay can end that skid if it can squeeze out one more win against Boston in this homestand.
After a 3-6 road trip that had the Rays in last place in the American League East and 6 1/2 games back of first in the division, Tampa Bay was able to notch two big wins to open up against the Red Sox -- as several players noted the good vibes from last year were starting to come back -- but then suffered a setback on Saturday.
Win on Sunday, though, and not only is the streak over, but the Rays will be able to say they've beat the Red Sox in both series they've played against them this season -- and thus would be 13-4 against them at Tropicana Field dating back to the start of 2008 (including last year's playoffs).
"We have to get back to winning series," Rays designated hitter Pat Burrell said. "We need to put together a stretch where we put a couple of wins together in a row and have a chance to make up some ground [in the division]."
The series finale will be televised as part of "Sunday MLB on TBS." Chip Caray will do the play-by-play and will be joined by analysts Buck Martinez and David Wells, who will be making his debut in the broadcast booth.
Getting the start for Tampa Bay will be James Shields.
The 27-year-old right-hander has been up and down to start the season, turning in three quality starts in five tries, but yielding five runs each of the other two times he's taken the mound.
Rays manager Joe Maddon said Shields -- 14-8 with a 3.56 ERA in 33 starts last season -- has struggled changing speeds so far. But he's been too good since his rookie year in 2006 to make the Tampa Bay skipper fret.
"He just doesn't feel the rhythm and the real good depth to the changeup that he normally feels," Maddon said. "But I know he did some work in the bullpen the other day, and he was very excited about it, so we'll see. And, again, he hasn't pitched up to his standards yet, but he's still pitched pretty darn good so far. You got to love that."
Shields pitched well in his last start against the Twins on Tuesday. But he brought in a run on a hit-by-pitch in the sixth inning to give Minnesota a 3-2 lead in Tampa Bay's eventual 4-3 loss.
Afterward, Shields -- harder on himself than many others in the league -- took the blame.
"He's very hard on himself, demands a lot out of himself to set an example for the rest of the group, and that's why he is who he is -- he has all those different qualities," Maddon said. "It's a wonderful trait, except that being a perfectionist can get kind of in the way, too.
"It's good, but understand that, at some point, cut yourself some slack, too."
It doesn't seem like Shields is going to change his mentality any time soon, though.
And in order to start the second month of the season on the right foot, the California native hopes to cut the Red Sox hitters no slack at all.
"I think my results have been pretty good," Shields said about his start to the season. "They can be better. I don't think I've been on my game as much as I want to be, and that's the main thing.
"April is over. Now it's May, and we'll try to start this month off right."
Pitching matchupTB: RHP James Shields (2-2, 3.74 ERA)
Shields went 6 2/3 innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits and four walks, taking the no-decision on Tuesday against the Twins. Next up is Boston, a team against whom Shields is 2-5 against in his career with a 5.59 ERA in nine starts. Those numbers, however, are skewed by his struggles at Fenway Park, where he is 0-4 with a 9.56 ERA in four starts. BOS: RHP Brad Penny (2-0, 8.66 ERA)
Penny's on-again, off-again trend continued in his most recent appearance. In his second and fourth starts, Penny gave up a combined 15 runs (12 earned) on 13 hits and eight walks. His first and third outings were quality starts and wins. Penny's next start will be an odd number. Having spent his entire career before this season in the National League, Penny last faced the Rays during Interleague Play in 2004, when he was with the Florida Marlins. Penny took the loss that day, giving up five runs on seven hits in six innings. Tidbits
Jason Bartlett was out of the starting lineup on Saturday night, but it had nothing to do with a left hamstring that forced him to leave Wednesday's game early. Maddon said he inserted Ben Zobrist at shortstop to give the utility man some playing time. ... Backup catcher Shawn Riggans (right shoulder tendinitis) said he'll begin his rehab assignment on Tuesday with Double-A Montgomery. The 28-year-old said he'd like to get in at least six games before returning. ... Right-hander Jason Isringhausen, scratched from his scheduled rehab appearance on Thursday because of an abdominal strain, is scheduled to throw one inning for Triple-A Durham on Sunday. ... Evan Longoria had back-to-back four-RBI games against the Red Sox on Thursday and Friday. Prior to him, the last player to record consecutive games of four or more RBIs against Boston was Manny Ramirez while with the Indians in September 2000, according to Elias Sports Bureau. ... Patrick Schuster, the left-hander from Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, Fla., who set a Florida state high-school record by throwing four straight no-hitters, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on Sunday. Schuster, a senior, is committed to the University of Florida. Tickets
Buy tickets now to catch the game in person.
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• Official game notes On television
• TBS, FS-F On radio
• WDAE 620 Up next
• Monday: Rays (Scott Kazmir, 3-2, 5.40) vs. Orioles (Adam Eaton, 1-3, 7.17), 7:08 p.m. ET
• Tuesday: Rays (Matt Garza, 2-2, 3.82) vs. Orioles (Koji Uehara, 2-2, 4.50), 4:08 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Rays (Andy Sonnanstine, 1-3, 6.75) at Yankees (Andy Pettitte, 2-1, 3.82), 7:05 p.m. ET
Alden Gonzalez is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
