(Sports Network) - James Shields tries for his seventh win in his last 10 outings this afternoon, as his Tampa Bay Rays close out a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics at McAfee Coliseum.

Shields is 6-2 with an earned run average of 3.19 over his last nine outings and defeated Seattle on Friday. He allowed three runs on nine hits over 6 2/3 innings against the Mariners, improving to 10-7 on the season with a 3.65 ERA.

The righty has struggled a bit on the road, where he is just 3-6 with a 5.74 ERA in 11 starts this year, but has done well in his career against Oakland. Shields, 27, defeated the Athletics on July 23 with 8 1/3 innings of three-run ball, moving to 3-1 with a 4.25 ERA in five career starts against them.

Tampa Bay rebounded with a 3-2 victory last night after dropping the opener of this set. Ben Zobrist hit the go-ahead RBI double in the seventh, while Eric Hinske homered as part of a three-hit day. Carlos Pena also went deep to give Tampa Bay its sixth win in eight games and help the club keep its three-game lead over Boston for first place in the American League East.

Andy Sonnanstine (12-6) threw his third consecutive quality start and the Rays bullpen pitched three scoreless innings, with Troy Percival earning his 27th save of the season.

Tampa Bay is 4-2 on a 10-game road trip that next heads to Texas. The Rays are 27-30 on the road this year.

Oakland's Justin Duchscherer (10-8) lost his third straight decision despite a career-high eight strikeouts, and the team lost its sixth consecutive game in which the righty has pitched.

Mark Ellis and Bobby Crosby added two hits apiece in the loss, Oakland's 13th in 15 games. Ryan Sweeney (thumb) landed on the 15-day disabled list prior to the game, with Eric Patterson replacing him on the roster. Patterson, one of the players Oakland received from the Cubs in the Rich Harden deal, drove in two runs.

Sean Gallagher was also part of that trade and starts for Oakland today. The 22-year-old hasn't pitched since facing Toronto on August 4 after having his last outing skipped due to right shoulder soreness. He got the loss versus the Blue Jays, allowing five runs (4 earned) on four hits and four walks over three innings.

The right-hander is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA in five starts with the A's after going 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA in 12 games (10 starts) with the Cubs.

Gallagher has faced the Rays just once, making a start against them on June 19 with the Cubs. He got a no-decision that day despite allowing just an unearned run over six innings.

Tampa Bay is 5-3 versus the Athletics this year and won two of three in Oakland from May 19-21.