ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Drew Smyly was well on the way to his first win since joining the Tampa Bay Rays in the trade that cost them David Price.
The left-hander wanted to get it without allowing any runs, and he did thanks to a little help.
Smyly allowed three hits and struck out the final batter he faced in his only shaky inning, Matt Joyce had a two-run single and the Rays beat the Texas Rangers 7-0 on Monday night.
Smyly struck out nine in a career-high 7 2-3 innings to beat the Rangers for the second time this season. The left-hander hasn't allowed Texas an earned run in three appearances, including a start and a relief outing when he was still with Detroit.
Smyly (7-10), who lost at Oakland five days after the Price deal at the non-waiver trading deadline July 31, got Shin-Soo Choo swinging for the second out with runners at second and third in the eighth.
"He was so good," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "He was in command of everything. He was still throwing 92 when he punched out Choo at the end."
Reliever Joel Peralta preserved the shutout by getting Jim Adduci on a bases-loaded grounder.
Before Adrian Beltre's line-drive single to left center in the seventh inning, the only hit for the Rangers was a bunt by Daniel Robertson in the third. Rougned Odor had a bloop double off Smyly in the eighth.
"It was the longest game of my career, so it might have been my best," Smyly said. "Some days you're really feeling it."
Colby Lewis (8-9) couldn't build on the momentum of his second career shutout, giving up five runs in five innings.
Just two of the runs were earned because Tampa Bay's three-run second inning was sparked by the Texas right-hander's throwing error trying to get Cole Figueroa at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt by Curt Casali. Lewis also had four walks and hit a batter.
"Beat myself, that's all there is to it," Lewis said. "That can be your guys' quote. I really don't have much more than that."
Lewis had a chance to escape the second with a 1-0 deficit before Joyce's two-out, bases-loaded hit for a 3-0 lead. The sharp single to right field came after Joyce ripped a line drive that was just foul and struck a security guard in the face. The man was bleeding as he was led off the field.
"Colby threw some tough pitches," said Joyce, who walked twice and was hit by a pitch. "I fought off a tough one. Then I finally got one I could handle."