Rays/MLB

Red-hot rookie remains one cool customer

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published June 22, 2006

	[Times photo: Bill Serne]
	Rays starter James Shields pitches 4 1/2 no-hit innings against the D'backs and ends up with his fourth win in a row.

ST. PETERSBURG - Devil Rays pitcher James Shields tried to maintain his cool. He really did.

When asked about his success, he made sure he praised his teammates. When told no Tampa Bay pitcher has started a career as well, he spoke instead of the team's recent hot streak.

"I'm a team player," Shields explained. "No matter what I do, it's all about whether we win or lose."

But after the Rays' 3-2 victory over the Diamondbacks on Wednesday night at Tropicana Field, it really was all about Shields.

The rookie right-hander pitched a personal-best seven innings and allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts while outdueling Arizona ace Brandon Webb.

He also became the first Tampa Bay pitcher to start his career 4-0, and it was during that discussion that Shields finally cracked - a smile, that is.

"It's exciting," he said, the smile providing a small peek at the emotions he prefers to keep under wraps, "to come up here and show them what I can do and what I got."

What he's got, catcher Toby Hall said, "is one of the nastiest changeups in the league that I've ever caught or faced."

He also has a good fastball, and a curve and cutter to call upon in emergencies.

All were on display against Arizona, which did not get a hit until Jeff DaVanon's one-out double in the fifth and could not derail Tampa Bay (31-41), which won for the fifth time in seven games and, at 16-15, is over .500 at home.

"Impressive," reliever Brian Meadows said. "The guy comes in and throws strikes and goes deep into games. For someone new to the big leagues, it's pretty special."

"He pitched well," Diamondbacks leftfielder Luis Gonzalez said. "We couldn't manufacture anything off of him."

The Rays didn't do much on offense, either.

They got two runs in the second on Webb's balk and Hall's run-scoring double. But the unconventional inning also included a double for Russell Branyan, whose high fly Gonzalez lost in the stadium ceiling, and Jonny Gomes' single that deflected off third base.

More straightforward was Rocco Baldelli's third-inning run-scoring double that gave Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead. It was the second straight game Baldelli had the winning hit and made a terrific running catch in centerfield.

Shields hit one bump, in the fifth, when Arizona scored on doubles by Orlando Hudson and Eric Byrnes. But Shields came back strong in the sixth and struck out two.

Shields relied more on his curve that inning, an adjustment he said was necessary because the Diamondbacks were reading his changeup and his fastball was up.

"He did not break," manager Joe Maddon said. "He's a grinder. He's not satisfied when things aren't right. He keeps coming after you. You're going to have to beat him. He's not going to cave in."

Neither did relievers Shawn Camp and Meadows, who combined for two scoreless innings.

Meadows got his first save. And Shields continued to shine.

The five runs he has allowed during his four-game winning streak have come in just two of 25 innings pitched, and his streak matches the longest this season for AL rookies.

Not that Shields is counting.

"I'm happy," he said, "really happy. It's just that it's a long season. You have to keep a level head and stay as humble as I can.

"I have to stay cool."

[Last modified June 22, 2006, 01:06:53]