Rangers Silenced By Shields

Texas bats silenced by Shields in 6-0 loss to Rays

The Texas Rangers had a solid road trip end on a sour note.

B.J. Upton hit three home runs, James Shields threw a two-hitter and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Texas 6-0 on Sunday. The AL West-leading Rangers completed a 10-game road trip at 6-4. "Today definitely wasn't our day, but we're playing well," Texas designated hitter Michael Young said.

Upton hit solo homers in the first, fourth and sixth innings. He struck out in second, and received a standing ovation before hitting a broken-bat grounder to third in the eighth."You kind of dream about doing things like that and they don't happen very often," Upton said. "And to do that against a Ranger ball club that pitches pretty well is a great feeling."

Shields (14-8) permitted just three base runners. Elvis Andrus reached on a first-inning error, Nelson Cruz had an infield single in the second and David Murphy singled in the eighth. "James Shields was on," Texas manager Ron Washington said. "He was really good. If you look at the game, you've got to give credit to James Shields. When a guy like that is pitching like that, it makes you look like you're lethargic."

Tampa Bay took two of three in the weekend series against the Rangers. The first two games went extra innings.  Upton had a fourth-inning shot off Martin Perez that extended the lead to 5-0. He also hit his 21st homer this season against the left-handed reliever in the sixth.

Perez, making his first appearance since being recalled from the minors on Sept. 1, allowed two runs over five innings.  "He did a great job," Washington said. "He gave us five innings of two-run ball, and both them were off B.J. Upton, who had one heck of a day."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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