Tampa Bay Rays: James Shields Gets No Run Support in Historic Loss

The Tampa Bay Rays have made a science of wasting exemplary pitching performances.

James Shields threw a 106-pitch complete game with 15 strikeouts, no walks, two hits and he only gave up one run in a losing effort.

Shields pitching performance Tuesday night against the Baltimore Orioles was a microcosm of the 2012 Tampa Bay Rays season. It was a combination of phenomenal pitching and an offense that has been, quite frankly, offensive.

After the game, Shields told reporters that he felt it was his best start of his career.

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“I think so. It was the most strikeouts I have ever had in my career and personally I only think I gave up 1 hit tonight. I thought the other one was an error but I think that was the best game of my career. It is a good one to end on.”

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According to MLB.com’s stat of the day twitter account (@MLBStatoftheDay), the performance marked the first time a pitcher ever lost a game after such a start.

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15 K's, no BOB, no more than 2 hits & 1 run allowed: No pitcher in liveball era ever had a loss with a line like this - until James Shields.

— MLB Stat of the Day (@MLBStatoftheDay) October 3, 2012"

It would be one thing if such an outcome would be a surprise, but it was business as usual for the Rays this season.

In games decided by one run, the Rays are 21-27 in 2012. The loss also marked the fifth time this season the Rays have lost a game 1-0.

There is a lot of speculation over whether or not Shields will be with the team in 2013. After the game, he said that he hopes it wasn't his Rays finale.

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“I hope not. I really like it here. I think our pitching staff is the best in baseball and I think we proved that this year. We have a lot of young guys on our staff and I definitely want to be a part of that.”

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If Tuesday night was his last performance at Tropicana Field in a Rays uniform, he certainly made it one to remember.

Jamal WIlburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand via official Tampa Bay Rays team notes.

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