Rays Gain Ground On Yankees

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – James Shields worked into the eighth

inning to outpitch CC Sabathia, prolong Alex Rodriguez's quest for

his 600th homer and help Tampa Bay beat the New York Yankees 3-0 on

Sunday.

Carl Crawford and Kelly Shoppach drove in runs for the Rays, who

took two of three games during a matchup between the teams with the

top two records in baseball.

The Yankees intended for Rodriguez to take a day off. But with

Shields (10-9) sailing along with a three-run lead in the seventh,

manager Joe Girardi inserted the slugger as a pinch-hitter with a

runner on and two outs.

Rodriguez took a third called strike. He remained in the game at

third base, but didn't get to the plate again.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)