James Shields Gets No Support In Jays Shutout Of Rays
Canada Day seemed a lot like groundhog day to James Shields. For the first seven innings of today's game Shields pitched well; real well. Unfortunately, once again the leagues best offense decided to take a day off on the day he pitched. Sans two eight h inning home runs, Shields kept his team in the game and got the Dan Haren treatment. The Rays took a loss in the series finale 5-0. It was the third time the Rays have been shutout this season; twice with Shields on the mound.
The Rays have scored 69 runs in Shields's 17 starts this year. That's just over four runs a game. Much has been made of the Diamondback's support or lack thereof for Dan Haren (68 runs in 16 starts), but Shields has been given just one more run of support in one more start. Looking deeper, the offense has scored just 46 runs while Shields is still in the game or 2.70 runs per start. The same offense has given Jeff Niemann 68 runs while still in the game (4.53 runs per). That's 22 more than Shields in two fewer starts.
Shields allowed two earned runs (three runs overall) on five hits and a walk in the first seven innings. He struck out eight batters and got 11 swinging strikes. He finished the seventh inning with 101 pitches. Having allowed a home run in the seventh and being over the magic 100 pitch threshold with his team down 3-0, I figured Shields was done for the night. However, Shields trotted to the mound in the eight and retired Aaron Hill before giving up back to back home runs to Adam Lind and Scott Rolen. Both of the homers were hit off of change ups that were left up and over the plate.
It looked as Shields didn't have a good feel for the change up today. He only threw 16 of them total and got 50/50 results in terms of strikes on the pitch. A normal Shields starts would mean nearly ¼ of his pitches would be change ups. Shields threw more sliders (21) and almost as many curves (13) as he did his signature pitch. Without his go to pitch, Shields threw more fastballs (46%) than normal. I don't know if the Rogers Centre guy is a bit fast, but Shields averaged 92.15 mph on the heater and maxed out at 94.5. Coming into the game he was averaging 90.0 even on his fastball.
You hate to see Shields pitch well and the team come up empty; literally. However, you must tip your hat to Ricky Romero for dominating the Rays (take note David Price). The Rays had a chance to sweep the Jays well into fourth place, but settling for two out of three against a division opponent in their home will have to do. Don't look now, but even though the Rangers aren't division opponent, they are a wildcard contender. The Rays hold a one game lead over the Rangers, who face the Angels tonight. The Rays will need to take two out of three in Texas to make this trip a real success.
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We do well against Halladay.
Shields shouldn’t have come out for the eighth, though. Sucks to waste 7 good innings.
What's amazing is that Shields has had that avg RPG total inflated by like 3 starts
Most notably Baltimore in that 11-run blow out
If you take out the two highest run scoring efforts the Rays have put up for Shields
11 and 7, they have scored 51 runs in the other 16 starts or 3 per game.
www.draysbay.com
I thought he was done after seven too Tommy
I also thought Garza wouldn’t come out for the 8th last night
Don’t get either one
Quick note here
Carlos Pena made error number 8 today. He made 2 all last year. Anyone noticing a difference between this year and last year? I remember last year during the playoffs Pena got something wrong with his eyes like a scratch or something….coincidence? Opinons?
Yeah I have noticed
Missed the game today due to Wimbledon, but there has been more leaky defense this year from the Gold Glover. If he had a eye problem though, he wouldn’t be able to see the baseball well at the plate. The team has been a bit sloppy this year at times.
Yes, take note Mr. Price...
Notice how Ricky Romero struggled in the minors until this year, when he perfected his changeup.
"Clogging up the bases isn't that great to me." -Dusty Baker on OBP
So hows the Lightnings offseason signings so far?
The wild have signed Havlat and are about to sign Saku Koivu. Gaborik to the Rangers
Vikings lets sign Brett Favre and Marvin Harrison. Ricky Rubio please dont go back to Spain!
Let's just call yesterday what it truly was
After winning 7 in a row and ensuring a series win against a divisional opponent the Rays went out and got smashed on the streets of Toronto Tuesday night. The offense looked pretty hung over and this is my reasoning behind it. I’m not saying it’s wrong since you have to enjoy your success at some point along the way, otherwise what’s the point, but I am saying that this happened. If we win games 1 & 2 of a series I say they have the right to blow game 3 off for every series for the rest of the Regular Season. Lets just make sure we’re taking series’.
SOSH AUCTION to K ALS
Don't hold me to this
I believe that shields is going to go to the rangers or one of the hot offensive teams where he will get run support when he is a free agent.
We need Robots....The time is now Bud, Stern, and Goodell.
Seriously, Officiating Sucks in this Country
I don't think that will play into his decision
I would think he would go to the highest bidder after playing for such a team friendly deal all these years. I could see Kenny Williams making a strong push (if he’s still employed), because he likes durable starters that work quick and can go deep into games.
SOSH AUCTION to K ALS
by Sandy Kazmir on Jul 2, 2009 10:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Shields hasn't been all that great
Carl Pavano has a better FIP
He's been very good.
Which is nice, but we need more than 4-5 very good starters come playoff time. Hopefully Big Game Garza does what he did in the playoffs last year.
That's the problem I have with FIP...
Low walks and decent strikeouts = Low FIP
The difference between Pavano and Shields is about 6% more groundballs.

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