“Complete Game” Shields Finishes Sweep

June 19, 2011

V: Florida Marlins

Attendance: 26,761

L: Ryan Webb (1-4) 3.74 ERA

Summary:

The game started shortly after the news that Marlins’ manager Edwin Rodriguez resigned. As I documented last night, the Marlins have been terrible lately, so it would not have been a surprise that Rodriguez would would have been fired. The Marlins’ losing streak reached 10 today (18 of their last 19) as the Rays finished off the sweep to take four of six in the Citrus Series.

James Shields finished off another complete game and was every bit as good as he was last Tuesday night against the Red Sox. He allowed one run (unearned) in the first and struck out 10, while walking nobody. Shields has been tremendously valuable to the Rays. Over a third of the time, he has gone the distance. Josh Beckett of the Red Sox has had a fantastic year as well going 8-2 with a 1.86 ERA. However, he has only the one complete game and is more of a six or seven inning pitcher at this point. Beckett will probably still start the All-Star Game, but Shields still deserves some recognition for that spot.

The Rays scored a run in the third on a Ben Zobrist sac fly. They loaded the bases in the fourth with one out, but Sam Fuld grounded into a double play. Marlins’ starter Chris Volstad threw very well, but once the bullpen entered the game, the Rays were able to pull out the victory. Casey Kotchman singled against ex-Ray Randy Choate to drive home Matthew Joyce for the game-winner. It was then up to Shields to finish up the game, which he did with a flourish by striking out Greg Dobbs.

Player of the Game: James Shields