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Shields guides Rays past Blue Jays

Aug 4, 2011 - 4:46 AM St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - James Shields allowed just one run over 7 1/3 innings to guide the Rays past the Blue Jays, 9-1, in the second tilt of a three-game set at Tropicana Field.

Shields (10-9) became the Rays second 10-game winner after giving up just three hits and three walks while fanning six.

Robinson Chirinos was 2-for-2 with his first major league home run and four RBI, and Ben Zobrist and Casey Kotchman each hit solo homers for Tampa Bay, which has won four of six.

"I loved the execution we had out there tonight," said Rays manager Joe Maddon. "All the little things we haven't been doing lately, we did tonight. It was a really good win for us."

J.P. Arencibia hit a solo homer for Toronto, which has just two losses in its last seven tries.

Carlos Villanueva (6-3) was pegged with the loss after he was shelled for eight runs on nine hits in just 2 2/3 innings.

The Rays put four on the board in the second to take an early 4-0 lead. Zobrist opened the frame with a homer to right. B.J. Upton singled with one out then moved to third when Matt Joyce singled. Upton scored when Sean Rodriguez laid down a perfectly-executed bunt for a suicide squeeze. Joyce moved to third on a throwing error that also allowed Rodriguez to reach.

Chirinos followed with another squeeze to score Joyce before Johnny Damon knocked Rodriguez in with a sacrifice fly.

The Blue Jays came back with a run of their own in the third following Arencibia's blast. He sent the 2-1 offering over the left-field fence for his 17th homer of the season.

But the Rays kept pouring it on, adding another four in the third to go up 8-1. Kotchman homered with one out. Joyce then doubled with two down and Rodriguez was hit by a pitch before Chirinos hit a three-run blast to left.

Tampa Bay added to its lead in the seventh. Zobrist and Kotchman hit a pair of singles before advancing to second and third on a passed ball from Wil Ledezma. Joyce then singled with two outs to score Zobrist.

Game Notes

Wednesday's game was the first decided by more than two runs all season between these clubs...The Rays have started a pitcher under the age of 30 for 710 consecutive games...Arencibia has homered six times in his last 10 games...Toronto shortstop Yunel Escobar singled in the eighth inning. He has reached base safely in 31 of his last 35 contests.