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Rays' Shields Sharp In Minor-League Turn

The Associated Press

Shields pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed only one hit while striking out five.

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By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 17, 2009

Updated: 03/18/2009 07:06 am

PORT CHARLOTTE - James Shields made his third start of the spring today (Tuesday) and made the batters he faced look like minor leaguers.

Oh wait, they were minor-leaguers.

The Tampa Bay Rays' designated Opening Day starter pitched in a minor league game against the Minnesota Twins' Class AAA team because it was his scheduled day and the Rays were off. The level of competition notwithstanding, he was sharp.

Building on an excellent previous start, Shields pitched 5 1/3 innings – five innings plus an added batter in the fifth – and allowed only one hit while striking out five.

"I tried to take my last game [four shutout innings against the Phillies last Thursday] into this game, and my last game basically felt like in-season form, as far as my direction to the plate," Shields said. "I felt the same today, so it was good."

Shields threw 65 pitches, up 15 from the combined 50 he threw against Philadelphia and in the bullpen on his last turn. He expects to pitch three more times this spring, progressing to 80 and 100 pitches before backing down to 50-60.

He used his full arsenal Tuesday, keeping batters off-balance with his fastball, changeup and curveball.

"I tried to mix in my breaking ball a little more today," he said. "The breaking ball is the last pitch to come in spring training. It's just more of a feel pitch. But I threw about five or six good ones today."

The Rays resume Grapefruit League play Wednesday against the Reds at Charlotte Sports Park against, and Jason Hammel, who's battling Jeff Niemann for the No. 5 job in the starting rotation, will get the start.

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