Upton hits 2-run homer and Shields allows 2 runs in 8 innings as Tampa Bay beats Kansas City

Upton hits 2-run homer in Rays’ win

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — B.J. Upton hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the eighth and James Shields allowed two runs over eight innings as Tampa Bay Rays completed a three-game sweep by beating the Kansas City Royals 3-2 on Thursday.

Upton’s two-out shot off Jamey Wright (0-2) made it 3-2. The homer helped the Rays overcome an 0-for-13 performance with runners in scoring position.

Shields (5-4) gave up six hits and had eight strikeouts. He has won two consecutive starts, allowing four runs over 15 innings.

Carl Crawford also homered for the Rays, who have won five of six following a season-high five-game losing streak. J.P. Howell pitched the ninth for his second save.

Kansas City right-hander Gil Meche gave up one run and six hits in six-plus innings. The Royals have lost a season-high seven games.

Billy Butler had a two-run, two-out double to put the Royals ahead 2-0 in the third, which ended Kansas City’s stretch of 15 scoreless innings. The double came after Alberto Callaspo had hit into a bases-loaded double play.

Tampa Bay threatened in each of the first six innings, but failed to score after going hitless in 12 at-bats with runners in scoring position. The Rays left 10 runners on base over the stretch.

The Rays finally got on the scoreboard when Crawford hit a leadoff homer in the seventh that ended Meche’s day. Three of Crawford’s four homers this season have come in the last six games.