Rays 5, Astros 1
James Shields earned his third straight complete-game victory, and Evan Longoria had a home run and three RBIs as the visiting Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Houston Astros 5-1 on Friday night.
Shields (8-4) allowed three hits and struck out nine to become the first pitcher to throw six complete games through 76 games of a season since Toronto's Pat Hentgen in 1997. He also set a club record for complete games in a season.
The Rays scored four times with two outs in the third inning. Sean Rodriguez (three hits) singled, stole second and scored on a Ben Zobrist single. Longoria belted a two-run homer to make it 3-0 and B.J. Upton followed with a solo blast. Longoria also had an RBI single in the fifth.
Chris Johnson’s RBI double in the seventh spoiled Shields’ shutout as the Rays won for the sixth time in their last seven games.
Wandy Rodriguez (5-4) gave up six hits and five runs over six innings to lose for the first time since April 24.
Astros catcher J.R. Towles left the game in the third inning after he was struck on the chin by a foul ball.