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Shields goes the distance as Rays down White Sox

Apr 20, 2011 - 4:55 AM St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - James Shields threw his sixth career complete game and Sean Rodriguez had a run-scoring triple, as the Tampa Bay Rays held on for a 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox in the second of a four- game set at Tropicana Field.

Felipe Lopez knocked in the other run for Tampa Bay, which took the opener of the series 5-0 and has won seven of eight since starting the season 1-8. Ben Zobrist went 2-for-4 with a triple and scored both runs for the victors.

Shields (1-1) scattered four hits and walked one while fanning nine. He threw 105 pitches -- 76 for strikes -- and improved to 3-2 in nine career games against the White Sox.

"I just went out there and did my job," Shields said. "It's exciting. It's been a long time since I got a CG."

A.J. Pierzynski had an RBI single, while Carlos Quentin doubled and scored the lone run for the White Sox, who have dropped six straight and seven of their last eight overall.

John Danks (0-2) was the hard-luck loser for yielding two runs on seven hits over seven frames. The left-hander struck out five without issuing a walk.

Tampa Bay plated a first-inning run to grab the early lead. Zobrist legged out a one-out triple to center and Rodriguez was hit by a pitch. Lopez then chased in a run with groundout to second.

Pierzynski's RBI single to center in the fifth tied the game at 1-1, but Tampa Bay went back in front for good in the home half.

Zobrist singled with one away and scored on Rodriguez's triple to center. Danks limited the damage by retiring the next two batters.

Paul Konerko was hit by a pitch to start the top of the seventh, but was picked off first by catcher Kelly Shoppach after Quentin went down on strikes.

Shields retired the White Sox in order in the eighth and stayed in for the ninth. Juan Pierre led off with an infield single and took second on a bunt by Gordon Beckham. The right-hander then settled down to strike out Adam Dunn and Konerko to end the game.

"We have to throw these games out as quickly as possible," Konerko said. "We have to come back ready to fight."

Game Notes

Despite the loss, Chicago has won five of its last nine matchups with the Rays...Tampa Bay outfielder Johnny Damon missed his second straight game with a bruise on the tip of his finger...Danks fell to 5-3 in nine career starts against Tampa Bay.