HOUSTON, June 24 (UPI) -- James Shields threw his sixth complete game of the season Friday, allowing only three hits and striking out nine in Tampa Bay's 5-1 decision over Houston.
Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton both homered during a four-run third and Shields dominated the rest of the way.
Shields (8-4) walked only one while throwing 106 pitches. Three of his complete games have been shutouts, but he missed a fourth in this start when Chris Johnson doubled in a run in the seventh.
Longoria had a two-run homer in the third and Upton produced a solo shot. Longoria also singled in a run in the fifth.
The loss went to Wandy Rodriguez (5-4), who gave up all five runs on six hits in six innings. He threw one more pitch in six frames than Shields did while going the distance.
