SB Nation New York - Shields, Rays Shut Out Yankees, 3-0https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2010-08-01T17:53:08-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/13636592010-08-01T17:53:08-04:002010-08-01T17:53:08-04:00Rays Take Two Of Three From Yankees
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/k4AZ3zUXGjVqYFKP2-sft2B2rWA=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828127/large_newyork.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) – James Shields tossed 7 1/3 scoreless innings to help the Tampa Bay Rays take a 3-0 win over the New York Yankees in the rubber match of a three-game set from Tropicana Field.</p>
<p>Shields (10-9) gave up four hits, struck out 11, and walked one to pick up the win for the Rays, who have won eight of nine to move within one game of the AL East-leading Yankees. Rafael Soriano recorded his 30th save of the season.</p>
<p>Carl Crawford and Kelly Shoppach each had an <span class="caps">RBI</span> for the victors.</p>
<p>New York third baseman Alex Rodriguez was not in the starting lineup, but he did come on as pinch-hitter in the seventh. He struck out, though, and remains stuck at 599 homers for his career.</p>
<p>Outfielder Austin Kearns went 0-for-2 in his debut with the Yankees, who went 4-3 on a seven-game road trip. Kearns was acquired from Cleveland on Friday.</p>
<p>CC Sabathia (13-5) went 6 2/3 innings in the start, allowing three runs on eight hits to take the loss. The left-hander has lost two straight starts since winning nine consecutive decisions.</p>
<p>After New York stranded runners on the corners in the top of the second, the Rays plated one run in the bottom half. Willy Aybar led off the frame with a ground-rule double to left. Following two outs, Shoppach hit a soft liner just over the glove of first baseman Lance Berkman allowing Aybar raced home on the play to make it 1-0.</p>
<p>The Yankees put a man on third with two outs in the top of the third, but Mark Teixeira struck out to end the threat. Tampa Bay made the visitors pay by scoring twice more in the home third. Reid Brignac singled and B.J. Upton doubled to get things started. Crawford then plated a run with an infield single. Upton scored when Evan Longoria grounded into a double play.</p>
<p>Shields retired nine straight batters — seven via the strikeout — before Berkman hit a one-out single to right in the sixth. Teixeira lined out and Robinson Cano grounded out to end the inning.</p>
<p>Derek Jeter singled with one out in the eighth, chasing Shields from the game. Chad Qualls, who was acquired by the Rays from Arizona on Saturday, came into the game and got Berkman to ground into an inning-ending double play.</p>
<p>Tampa Bay leads the season series with New York, 6-5…Sabathia fell to 8-4 lifetime versus the Rays…Shields improved to 3-7 in his career against the Yankees…Tampa Bay will recall pitcher Jeremy Hellickson on Monday from Triple-A Durham to make his <span class="caps">MLB</span> debut against the Twins…The Rays were without first baseman Carlos Pena (right foot) and outfielder Ben Zobrist (back)…Berkman went 1-for-4 in his second game with New York, which opens a seven-game homestand with the first of three against the Blue Jays starting Monday.</p>
<p>— <span>Full Boxscore</span></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/8/1/1600070/rays-take-two-of-three-from-yankeesEd Valentine2010-08-01T12:34:59-04:002010-08-01T12:34:59-04:00600 Tracker: Alex Rodriguez vs. Today's Opponents
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/k4AZ3zUXGjVqYFKP2-sft2B2rWA=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828127/large_newyork.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p><span style="border-collapse: collapse;">
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Helvetica; line-height: 18px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="font-style: italic; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Until </span><span><span style="font-style: italic; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Alex Rodriguez</span></span><span style="font-style: italic; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"> hits hits 600 home runs, we'll be baseballreference.com-ing his batter vs. pitcher history against his opposition for the night. Tonight? Wade Davis<span style="font-style: normal; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="font-style: italic; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="color: #c8181d; font-weight: bold; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"> </span></span><span style="font-style: italic; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">and the Tampa Bay Rays.</span></span></span></span></p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Career at Tropicana Field: 21 Home Runs</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Career vs. Tampa Bay: 43 Home Runs</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/pvb.cgi?n1=shielja02&n2=rodrial01">James Shields</a>, Tonight's Starter: 5-23, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4 BB, 6 K</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Rays Bullpen:</span></p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent; color: #2a5db0; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/pvb.cgi?n1=sonnaan01&n2=rodrial01">Vs. Andy Sonnanstine</a>: 8-18, 3 HR's, 8 RBI, 1 BB,</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent; color: #2a5db0; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/pvb.cgi?n1=benoijo01&n2=rodrial01">Vs. Joaquin Benoit</a>: 2-13, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB's, 5 K's </p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent; color: #2a5db0; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/pvb.cgi?n1=balfogr01&n2=rodrial01">Vs. Grant Balfour</a>: 1-9, 2 RBI, 2 BB's, 2 K's</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent; color: #2a5db0; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/pvb.cgi?n1=wheelda01&n2=rodrial01">Vs. Dan Wheeler</a>: 1-8, 2 K's</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent; color: #2a5db0; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/pvb.cgi?n1=cormila01&n2=rodrial01">Vs. Lance Cormier</a>: 2-6, 3 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent; color: #2a5db0; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/pvb.cgi?n1=choatra01&n2=rodrial01">Vs. Randy Choate</a>: 4-4, 3 RBI</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;"><a style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; vertical-align: baseline; background-repeat: initial; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none !important; background-color: transparent; color: #2a5db0; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;" target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/pvb.cgi?n1=soriara01&n2=rodrial01">Vs. Rafael Soriano</a>: 0-4, 1 BB</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Has not faced Chad Qualls</p>
<p style="outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 100%; background-repeat: initial; background-color: transparent; vertical-align: bottom; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px initial initial;">Analysis: I wasn't completely surprised to see Alex Rodriguez go through last week's series with the Indians without hitting 600 - as these posts highlighted, Indians pitchers, both starters and relievers, had great records against the man waiting admission to one of the baseball's most prestigious clubs. But with only one game left against Tampa Bay, it's a little bit weird to see his drought continuing. For the first two games, Rodriguez faced starters against whom he had batting averages of over .400, and the Rays have a bullpen chock ful of guys Rodriguez has done well against. But here we are, and James Shields has pretty much owned A-Rod historically - more strikeouts than hits. If the Yankees can chase Shields early, and the Rays have to bring in some of their lesser relief pitchers - i.e., anybody that isn't Joaquin Benoit - things could get prettier for A-Rod. </p>
</span></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/8/1/1599675/600-tracker-alex-rodriguez-vsRodger Sherman2010-08-01T11:44:59-04:002010-08-01T11:44:59-04:00Yankees, Rays Meet Again This Afternoon
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/k4AZ3zUXGjVqYFKP2-sft2B2rWA=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828127/large_newyork.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>(Sports Network) - The <span class="sbn-auto-link"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/NYY">New York Yankees</a></span> and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/mlb/teams/TAM">Tampa Bay Rays</a></span> continue to battle for supremacy in the AL East and will close out a three-game series with the rubber match this afternoon at Tropicana Field.</p>
<p>The Yankees are 66-37, good for first place, while Tampa is only two games back in what many consider to be baseball's best division.</p>
<p>New York got even deeper on Saturday. One day after acquiring <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Austin Kearns</span></span> in a trade with Cleveland, the Yankees made their deal for Houston first baseman <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Lance Berkman</span></span> official while also getting <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Kerry Wood</span></span> from Cleveland in another deadline move.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>CC Sabathia</span></span> will be on the mound for New York today in what will be his 23rd start of the season. The workhorse has compiled a 13-4 record and a 3.15 ERA with 124 strikeouts. He is, however, coming off a loss to Cleveland on Tuesday despite allowing just two earned runs in seven innings.</p>
<p>Sabathia is 1-0 in two appearances against Tampa this season and 8-3 lifetime versus the Rays with a 3.03 ERA.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>James Shields</span></span> will get the ball for Tampa Bay this afternoon, hoping to improve his mediocre 9-9 record and 4.79 ERA. Shields has allowed 154 hits in 135 1/3 innings of action and has been touched for a high total of 22 home runs. He was most recently in action on Tuesday when he managed to knock off Detroit in front of the home crowd.</p>
<p>Shields is 1-0 this season versus New York, but he is a lackluster 2-7 lifetime against the Yankees with a 5.45 ERA.</p>
<p>Just after <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Alex Rodriguez</span></span> failed to club career homer No. 600 on Saturday, <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Robinson Cano</span></span> belted a solo shot to right field with one out in the ninth inning, providing the New York Yankees with a 5-4 win over the Rays, snapping Tampa Bay's seven-game winning streak.</p>
<p>Rodriguez went 0-for-3 with a walk and scored once, but he hasn't gone deep since July 22 against Kansas City as he attempts to become the seventh member of the 600-homer club.</p>
<p>"The way I'm swinging now it's probably going to take a while," Rodriguez said of his home run quest. "Everybody get comfortable. I just have to be out there and help the team win somehow."</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Mark Teixeira</span></span> added a two-run homer and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Nick Swisher</span></span> a solo blast for the Yankees, who won for the eighth time in 11 games. Berkman went 0-for-4 in his debut.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Matt Garza</span></span>, pitching for the first time since his no-hitter against Detroit on Monday, lasted seven innings, allowing five hits and four runs while fanning nine batters.</p>
<p>"This one falls on me," Garza said. "They spot me a two-run lead and I give it away. I had these guys beat and I gave it away."</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Javier Vazquez</span></span> yielded eight hits and four runs over 6 1/3 innings. <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>David Robertson</span></span> (2-3) pitched the eighth inning to get the win and <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Mariano Rivera</span></span> recorded his 22nd save.</p>
<p>Rays first baseman <span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Carlos Pena</span></span> is day-to-day after leaving in the seventh inning with a sore right foot.</p>
<p><span class="sbn-auto-link"><span>Carl Crawford</span></span> stole the 400th base of his career, becoming only the seventh player to reach that mark before the age of 29.</p>
<p>Before Saturday, Tampa Bay's bullpen had allowed one run in the previous 19 innings.</p>
<p>These teams have split their 10 matchups this season.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2010/8/1/2318707/yankees-rays-meet-again-this-afternoonEd Valentine