Rays get their first sweep of Red Sox

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- James Shields pitched Tampa Bay into a rare position. The Rays are now the co-leaders in the AL East with the Baltimore Orioles.

Shields threw a two-hitter for the first shutout of his career, Evan Longoria homered and the Rays beat Josh Beckett and Boston, 3-0, Sunday to complete their first three-game sweep of the Red Sox.

“It’s a great feeling, but it’s very early in the season,” Rays Manager Joe Maddon said. “It’s not about winning. It’s how we did it, with the pitching and defense and we get the hits when we needed them. We’re playing the game right, and if you do that, you’ll win your share of games.”

Coupled with the Orioles’ 6-1 loss to the Chicago White Sox, the Rays’ victory gave them a share of first place. It’s the latest in any season during the team’s 11-year history that Tampa Bay has held a share of the division lead.

Tampa Bay’s six consecutive victories are its longest winning streak since a six-game run from July 28 to Aug. 3, 2005. The Rays (14-11) are three games over .500 for the first time since starting the season 3-0 in 2002. It’s also the latest in the season the Rays have been three games above .500.

“This is huge for us,” Shields said.

Shields (3-1) struck out seven and walked one. Beckett (2-2) struck out a career-high 13 and walked one in seven innings for the Red Sox, who have lost five straight.