SEATTLE - Rays rookie James Shields thought he pitched the best game of his brief big-league career. Coming off a shaky six-week stretch, the 24-year-old turned in his first complete game in the majors Wednesday at Safeco Field.
Internally, he could celebrate his own personal victory. But that was it.
The runs haven't come easily for the Devil Rays halfway through this six-game West Coast road trip. Despite yielding just five hits in eight innings, Shields suffered his sixth straight defeat as the Rays were swept out of Seattle, 2-0.
"That's a mortal sin to waste good pitching like that," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "At the end of the game, he was throwing as good as he's thrown all year."
Shields (4-6) has allowed two earned runs in each of his past two starts, but the Rays have given him little run support - three runs total - in those two games.
The loss marked the first time in 13 road games since the All-Star break that the Rays have been shut out. They have won just one game on the road since the break and are 3-17 since June 18.
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Rays' Road Woes Hit New Low
Rays' Road Woes Hit New Low
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