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ST. PETERSBURG — RHP James Shields was going good enough Wednesday that he couldn't resist having a little fun, hollering at former teammate Ty Wigginton as he circled the bases after hitting a two-run homer.
Shields could afford to smile, putting a good finish on his disappointing year by working eight strong innings in the 5-3 victory over the woeful Orioles that ensured the Rays of their second winning record in franchise history.
"It was a good way to finish my season off," said Shields, who went 11-12 with a 4.14 ERA in a career-high 2192/3 innings. "I felt really good out there, and that's always a positive going into the offseason."
The Rays are finishing strong, winning their fourth straight to improve to 82-76, while the Orioles staggered to their 13th straight loss, the majors' longest skid since the 2006 Pirates.
Ben Zobrist hit a three-run homer — the 26th, and 88th RBI, of his stunning season — in the third, and Carl Crawford added a solo shot, his 15th.
"I think it's imperative that we all go out strong," manager Joe Maddon said.
Shields was openly disappointed about not having a complete game this season, and for a while it looked like he might get one.
He worked seven shutout innings, allowing three singles and striking out six in an eight-batter stretch. But he ran into trouble in the eighth, allowing a single, a double and the homer.
"I was close tonight, but I'll take the eight innings and three runs all day," Shields said.
Though Shields wasn't happy with his season, Maddon said it really wasn't bad.
"I know a lot of people are disappointed, but he's still had a pretty good year," Maddon said. "He's had a more difficult time in the second half, but every time he goes out there to pitch we have a chance to win that game, and he's normally in there late. So he's sucking up his innings, he's saving the bullpen and he gives us a chance to win on a consistent basis. That's a pretty good starter right there."
MEN OF STEAL: With B.J. Upton stealing his 40th and 41st bases a game after Crawford swiped his 60th, the Rays became the first major-league team with two 40-plus players since the 1993 Angels (Luis Polonia and Chad Curtis) and Expos (Marquis Grissom and Delino DeShields), and the first AL team with two players combining for 100 since the 1997 Tigers (Brian Hunter and Damion Easley).
PITCHING IN: LHP Brian Shouse made his 44th appearance; with one more he'll get a $50,000 bonus this season, pushing his take to $1.45 million and increasing his 2010 option to $2 million. … RHP Russ Springer is the ninth Ray to get a save, most of any team in the majors. … Maddon confirmed that RHP Chad Bradford is unlikely to pitch again this season; Bradford said Tuesday that his elbow has been bothering him. … RHP Jeff Niemann told Maddon he felt fine and will start as scheduled on Saturday.
TRIVIAL PURSUIT: Springer's save was his first since April 24, 2001, a span of 400 games. It was the ninth save of his 17-season, 740-game career. "It ain't no big deal," he said.
WALK-ONS: The Rays drew their 627th walk, surpassing their record 626 from last season. With their next run, they'll tie the 2007 record of 782.
FAN STUFF: Starting tonight through Sunday, fans will be randomly selected for prizes and have the opportunity to buy tickets to win game-worn jerseys in the annual "Shirts Off Our Back" promotion benefiting the team foundation.
MISCELLANY: With Wednesday's crowd of 10,554 — up 205 from Tuesday's season low — the Rays are 29,227 shy of matching last season's attendance of 1,811,986 and have no shot of getting to 2 million. … Crawford is expected to be off tonight.
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