“CC has been pitching like that for a long, long time,’’ Yankees captain Derek Jeter said. “Yeah, you’d like to see him get a win. He pitched well enough to win. We just couldn’t get anything going off Shields.’’
The loss dropped New York two games behind first-place Boston in the AL East.
Shields (9-8) allowed six hits, walked three and struck out six over 7 2-3 innings in his second duel with Sabathia in 12 days. The right-hander lost 1-0 to the major leagues’ wins leader on July 10 at Yankee Stadium, yielding the game’s only run on an errant pickoff throw to third base.
“Last time it was a pitcher’s duel,’’ Jeter said. “He’s tough. He mixes it up. His changeup is as good as anyone in our league. He really keeps you off balance.’’
Shields ended a personal four-game skid, winning for the first time since a 5-1 complete-game victory at Houston on June 24. The right-hander allowed one runner past first until the eighth, when Jeter doubled for career hit No. 3,010 and scored on Robinson Cano’s double into the right field corner.
Brandon Gomes replaced Shields and got Nick Swisher to hit a first-pitch flyball to center to end the eighth. Kyle Farnsworth worked the ninth for Tampa Bay, earning his 19th save in 22 opportunities.
Longoria began the night just 4 for 31 in his previous eight games. He hit his 12th homer with two outs in the first, added an infield hit in the fourth and finished 2 for 2 with two walks — one intentional.
Sabathia walked four and struck out eight en route to his third complete game of the season.
“It’s one of those of things,’’ Sabathia said. “It’s baseball.’’
Fuld’s triple was just the fourth extra-base hit allowed to a left-handed hitter by Sabathia this season.
“It’s frustrating, especially the fifth inning and I let Sam Fuld beat me, a lefty,’’ Sabathia said.
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