The Tampa Bay Rays got it together for a full inning Wednesday night, scoring three runs in the sixth inning to tie the game against the San Diego Padres at three runs apiece. Persistence by the San Diego batters paid off, as they scored twice more; that would be enough for a win against a Rays team that threatened late but just couldn’t get it together.
James Shields turned in his best start in weeks but still gave up four runs on six hits, pitching through seven innings. He managed to strike out seven batters and yielded only one base on balls. Shields didn’t get the run support he needed, as the Rays squandered seven walks by San Diego pitchers. They left men in scoring position multiple times in a game that reeked of missed opportunity.
This article appears in Jun 24-30, 2010.