NewsShields a model of consistency for Rays
Tampa Bay (44-35) at Toronto (41-38), 1:07 p.m. ET
By Erika Gilbert / MLB.com
07/01/09 1:26 AM ET
TORONTO -- Rays right-hander James Shields' record is not where he wants it to be. But that's not what matters most to him."Wins don't mean anything," Shields said. "Quality starts are huge. If you get quality starts, that means you're going to eventually end up winning some ballgames."
Shields has gone 6-5 this season with five no-decisions, three of which his team has lost. But in his last outing, he recorded his 10th quality start in 16 games this season, and feels it's only a matter of time before those starts turn into wins.
"The team record when I've been in there is not as good as I want it to be, but that's just the way it goes sometimes. We just need to try to keep throwing quality starts and eventually the team will pick me up."
Shields has been the Rays' most consistent pitcher, and his 10 quality starts lead the club. He ranks seventh in the American League in innings pitched with 108 1/3.
For Shields, the key to becoming a consistent pitcher at the Major League level is the ability to do his best even when he's not at the top of his game -- focusing on getting outs with what he has instead of trying to be perfect every single time he takes the mound.
That's what he felt he was able to do in his last game -- a 6 2/3-inning, three-run effort in which Shields didn't dominate but pitched well enough for his team to win. He was not credited with the win, but he kept the Rays in the game long enough to beat the Marlins, 7-3.
"It's just one of those games where if you're not going to have your best stuff, you've got to battle," Shields said. "You get your butt kicked a little bit, you're going to have to learn how to do that. That's just pitching. That's just being a pitcher instead of just a thrower. These guys are way too good up in the big leagues to be perfect every single time.
"You're going to have one guy every year that's perfect all year long, and that's the Cy Young [winner], so you have to learn to do it with what you've got that day and go with it."
Shields also appreciates the run support his team's been able to come up with -- the Rays lead the AL in runs scored and are second in batting average and slugging percentage. That makes it easier for Shields and the rest of the staff to feel they don't have to be perfect for the team to win.
"It's nice. It's good," he said. "It's always nice to not have as much pressure on yourself, knowing that you have guys backing you up. So I'm just going to go out there and keep doing my thing."
Pitching matchupTB: RHP James Shields (6-5, 3.41 ERA)
In his last start, Shields had outpitched his counterpart on the Marlins, Josh Johnson, until the seventh inning, when he gave up a game-tying home run to Hanley Ramirez. It was his 10th quality start of the season, which is a team high, and the eighth consecutive start he has pitched into the seventh inning. He continues to be Tampa Bay's most consistent pitcher and appears to be pitching at his best right now. TOR: LHP Ricky Romero (5-3, 3.20 ERA)
Romero took a no-hitter into the seventh inning on Friday, earning the win in the Jays' 6-1 victory over the Phillies at Rogers Centre. Before the seventh inning, only one ball was hit into the outfield -- a fly ball to center field in the fifth inning. Romero allowed only two hits -- both singles -- and issued one walk, shutting out the Phillies for six innings. It was the rookie's fifth consecutive quality start. Tidbits
The Rays' three home runs on Tuesday gave the team 41 in the month of June -- the most in a single month in club history. Through Monday, Ben Zobrist was tied for third in the Majors with right home runs in June. ... Jason Bartlett has hit safely in 23 of his last 24 games, batting .367 with two home runs and 22 RBIs over that span. ... The seven hits Matt Garza gave up on Tuesday tied a season high. Tickets
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• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Rays (Scott Kazmir, 4-4, 7.28) at Rangers (Tommy Hunter, 0-1, 3.86), 8:05 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Rays (David Price, 2-2, 3.93) at Rangers (Vicente Padilla, 6-4, 4.75) , 8:05 p.m. ET
Erika Gilbert is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
