Shields' four-hitter lifts Rays

James Shields pitched a four-hitter for his second straight complete game and Ben Zobrist hit a two-run homer as the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Blue Jays, 2-0, yesterday in Toronto.

Shields (2-1) struck out seven, walked two and lowered his ERA to 2.35. The Rays won for the 10th time in 13 games after a 1-8 start.

"It felt really good," Shields said. "Obviously, being able to throw back-to-back complete games is something special."

Shields threw only 95 pitches, wrapping up the game in a brisk 2 hours, 5 minutes. The righthander also threw a four-hitter against the Chicago White Sox last Tuesday.

Tampa Bay starters have worked at least seven innings in 11 of the past 12 games and posted a 2.46 ERA in that span.

Ricky Romero (1-3) lost despite striking out 10 in seven innings.

Tigers 3, White Sox 0: Max Scherzer allowed four hits in eight innings as host Detroit finished a three-game sweep of the White Sox. Scherzer (4-0) struck out seven and walked three, helping Detroit shut out Chicago for a second straight day. Detroit has won nine straight over Chicago.

Rangers 8, Royals 7:C.J. Wilson struck out 10 in seven innings and Adrian Beltre hit one of host Texas' three home runs as the Rangers completed a three-game sweep.

Arthur Rhodes got the final out for his first save since 2008. The 41-year-old lefthander became the oldest player to get a save for Texas, only a day after 40-year-old lefty Darren Oliver set that mark with regular closer Neftali Feliz on the disabled list.

Twins 4, Indians 3:Jason Kubel had a two-run double in the seventh as host Minnesota took both games of the rain-shortened series to win a series for the first time this season.

Athletics 5, Mariners 2:Coco Crisp had three hits and scored three runs and Brett Anderson pitched seven strong innings as visiting Oakland earned a series split.

-- AP