St. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - B.J. Upton recorded the first three- homer game of his career and James Shields posted his second shutout of the year, as the Tampa Bay Rays earned a series win over the Texas Rangers with a 6-0 victory.
Upton hammered Roy Oswalt's first pitch of the rubber match into the right- field bleachers, then added two more solo shots off reliever Martin Perez.
Shields (14-8), not to be overshadowed, gave up just two hits against the hard-hitting Rangers while striking out eight and not issuing a walk.
Jose Molina added a two-run homer for the Rays, who have won six of eight and are 1 1/2 games behind an AL wild card spot.
Texas holds a four-game lead over the Athletics in the AL West.
Oswalt (4-3) lasted just two innings in a spot start that gave Matt Harrison an extra couple of days rest. The midseason signing was touched for four runs on six hits as his ERA rose to 6.29.
For a complete game box score, click here
The Sports Network