ShieldsMaddonGm2After receiving a truly exceptional outing from rookie Matt Moore in a victorious Game 1, it appeared the Tampa Bay Rays were positioned to take command of their ALDS against the Texas Rangers with James Shields on the bump in Game 2.
That belief only grew after Matt Joyce connected for a two-run home run in the fourth inning off Derek Holland, pushing Tampa's lead to 3-0.
However, unlike the regular season, where Shields would typically put the clamps down on an opposing offense and attempt to go the distance — he did so a major league best 11 times — he came out in the bottom of the inning a little wild, hitting a pair Rangers around singles by Josh Hamilton and Michael Young, and then allowed Texas to tie it on Mike Napoli's two-run single.
But that was only the beginning of Shields' problems. His own wildness would extent the inning even further.{YSP:MORE}
Two batters later, and after wild pitching runners to second and third, Shields would get David Murphy to strike out swinging.
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