MLB news: Matt Adams helps Cardinals walk off with a win

James Shields might be headed for free agency after this season, but he gave the Royals plenty of reason for optimism in 2014 on Monday night.

Shields stymied the Rays over seven innings, allowing just three hits and a walk, while striking out 10 batters to lower his ERA to 3.71 and FIP to 3.89. The right-hander's stellar start came off the back of a tough outing against the Twins in which he lasted just five innings.

The Royals, meanwhile, moved to 46-42 with a 6-0 win, further solidifying themselves as legitimate contenders in a crowded AL wild card picture. Three hits from Alex Gordon, who has been one of the AL's best players this season, and two hits from the struggling Eric Hosmer helped spark Kansas City's offense against Rays starter Jake Odorizzi.

Adams walks off against Pittsburgh

Matt Adams' breakout season continued Monday night as the first baseman went 2-for-4 with a double and a walk-off, two-run homer to lift the Cardinals to a 2-0 win over the Pirates.

Adams' first hit came back in the first inning for St. Louis before Pirates starter Charlie Morton pitched the next 6 ⅔ innings without allowing another base knock. Morton would allow just two more baserunners via walk, while shutting out the Cardinals over seven innings.

The problem for the Pirates is that Adam Wainwright matched Morton inning for inning. The 32-year-old Wainwright held Pittsburgh scoreless over seven innings, scattering seven hits and three walks and enabling Adams' late-game heroics in the process.

Diamondbacks right-hander Bronson Arroyo will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery after being shelved on the DL since mid-June with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm.