Upton hits 3 home runs, Rays beat Rangers

By: Associated Press

Posted: Sun 6:30 PM, Sep 09, 2012

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) - B.J. Upton hit three home runs, James Shields threw a two-hitter and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Texas Rangers 6-0 on Sunday.

Upton hit solo homers in the first, fourth and sixth innings. He struck out in second, and received a standing ovation before hitting a broken-bat grounder to third in the eighth.

Upton joined Evan Longoria (2008) and Jonny Gomes (2005) as the only Tampa Bay players with three-homer games.

Shields (14-8) permitted just three baserunners. Elvis Andrus reached on a first-inning error, Nelson Cruz had an infield single in the second and David Murphy singled in the eighth.

Tampa Bay took two of three in the weekend series against the AL West leaders. The first two games went extra innings.

Blackhawks beat Bruins 6-5 in OT, even series 2-2

We ask that the following Community Standards be followed:

Comments must not be profane or vulgar.

Comments must not use hate speech, racial slurs, or violent descriptions.

We encourage varying views to be shared. We do ask commenters to not personally attack other readers, groups, people featured in our stories, or other posters for disagreeing with their views.

Comments must not contain negative, comparative debates between community standards of cities or towns.

Comments must contribute to the discussion, flaming and/or trolling will not be tolerated.

Comments must be truthful and not intentionally falsified. Providing a source link is encouraged.

If you find that a comment violates the above rules, please use the flagging option located to the right of the comment to notify the moderators.
For a complete list of guidelines, please follow this link:
http://www.kbtx.com/home/misc/Online-Commenting-Policy-181579421.html