Rays best Red Sox for sweep

Tampa Bay is now a co-leader in the AL East with the Baltimore Orioles.

Associated Press

Last update: April 27, 2008 - 11:33 PM

ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – James Shields pitched Tampa Bay into a rare position. The Rays are now the
co-leaders in the AL East with the Baltimore Orioles.

Shields threw a two-hitter for his first career shutout, Evan Longoria homered, and the Rays beat Josh Beckett and the Red Sox 3-0 Sunday to complete their first three-game sweep of Boston.

"We’re playing the game right, and if you do that, you’ll win your share of games," Rays manager Joe Maddon said.

The Rays (14-11) are three games over .500 for the first time since starting the season 3-0 in 2002. This is the latest in any season during the team’s 11-year history that Tampa Bay has held a share of the division lead, and it is the latest the Rays have ever been three games above .500.

"This is huge for us," said Shields, who struck out seven and walked one. "If you look back, this is the best April we’ve ever had."

Beckett struck out a career-high 13 and walked one in seven innings for the Red Sox. He gave up two runs — one earned— and four hits.

"On most nights, he throws a game like that and we’re feeling pretty good about ourselves," Boston manager Terry Francona said.

Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz (bruised right knee) was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game. With a day game after a night game, Francona had left fielder Manny Ramirez at designated hitter for the second time this season.

Ortiz said he probably will play Tuesday, when the Red Sox open a three-game series with Toronto.

Jason Bartlett singled with one out in the third and scored on a pair of errors — Beckett’s errant throw to first and right fielder J.D. Drew’s bad throw home — during a pickoff play.

"I basically lost the game for us," Beckett said. "Throw away, and the home run to Longoria."