For a while, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher James Shields might have been one of the most underrated pitchers in the game. After a 5.18 ERA in 2010 despite posting the highest strikeout rate of his career, he might still be one of the most underrated pitchers in the game, if only because there’s no way he can be as bad as he was last year. Shields was absolutely dominant on Tuesday night, striking out nine in a 2-1, complete-game victory at home against the Chicago White Sox.
White Sox Vs. Rays: James Shields Spins Complete Game
The complete game was the first one for Shields since 2008, and he was able to finish this one off with just 105 pitches, 76 of which he threw for strikes. Shields had command of all four pitches, walking only one on the night. The lone Chicago run came in the fifth, when A.J. Pierzynski singled home Carlos Quentin, who had doubled to lead off the inning. The White Sox were able to get only one more runner past first on the night, when Juan Pierre made it to second on a ninth-inning sacrifice bunt. After Pierre was in scoring position, Shields struck out Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko swinging to end the game.
Tampa Bay scored a first-inning run when Ben Zobrist tripled and scored on a Felipe Lopez groundout. Zobrist scored again in the fifth inning, coming around on another triple, this one from Sean Rodriguez. The two runs would be all the Rays would need for Shields, and they've won seven out of their last eight after starting the season 1-8.
The series continues tomorrow with Philip Humber continuing to hold Jake Peavy’s place for the White Sox. Wade Davis will go for the Rays.
For more on the White Sox and Rays, please visit team blogs South Side Sox and DRays Bay.
See More:
