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Shields Tosses Shutout as Rays Beat Red Sox

Tampa completes first three-game sweep of the defending champs

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Apr 27, 2008 7:42 PM CDT

(Newser) – James Shields threw a two-hitter for his first career shutout, Evan Longoria homered and the Tampa Bay Rays beat Josh Beckett and Boston 3-0 to complete their first three-game sweep of the Red Sox. Shields (3-1) struck out seven and walked one while Beckett (2-2) struck out a career-high 13 and walked one in seven innings for the Red Sox.

Tampa Bay has won six straight for its longest winning streak since a six-game run in 2005. It's also the latest in the season the Rays (14-11) have ever been three games above .500. Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz was out of the starting lineup for the second consecutive game. Boston manager Terry Francona used Manny Ramirez at DH.

Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria, right, is congratulated by teammate Eric Hinske after his seventh inning home run in a 3-0 win over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, April 27, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria, right, is congratulated by teammate Eric Hinske after his seventh inning home run in a 3-0 win over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, April 27, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla.   (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett throws during the second inning of their MLB matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, April 27, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett throws during the second inning of their MLB matchup against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, April 27, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla.   (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher James Shields throws in the first inning of their game against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, April 27, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher James Shields throws in the first inning of their game against the Boston Red Sox on Sunday, April 27, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla.   (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz, out of the lineup for the second consecutive game with a reported bruised knee, joins his team in the dugout during of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, April 27, 2008, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Boston Red Sox's David Ortiz, out of the lineup for the second consecutive game with a reported bruised knee, joins his team in the dugout during of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday,...   (AP Photo/Mike Carlson)
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