Zobrist, Shields lead Rays over A's

Ben Zobrist had two RBI from the ninth spot in the lineup as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Oakland Athletics 4-3 at Tropicana Field in the rubber match of a three-game series. James Shields (9-6) lasted 8 1/3 innings yielding three runs and six hits while striking out seven for the Rays, who have won four of their last six games. Shields is 5-1 in his last six starts. Zobrist's day included a solo home run as he was the only Ray with a multi-hit day going 2-for-3. Jonny Gomes also homered, a two-run shot, as the bottom two batters in Tampa Bay's order drove in all four of its runs. Troy Percival saw one run score -- charged to Shields -- while issuing a walk and no hits in the ninth as he reached the 20-save plateau for the 10th time in his career. Greg Smith (5-9) went six-plus innings allowing four runs on five hits and two... [read full story]