James Shields has even surprised himself about going the distance this season.

Shields threw a six-hitter for his major league-best eighth complete game, Evan Longoria homered and had four RBIs and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Kansas City Royals 4-0 on Tuesday night.

“I didn’t think I was going to get one complete game,” Shields said. “I hadn’t had one since 2008, so I was just hoping for one this year. Fortunately, for me, it’s been a lot. I’m really, really happy with the way I’ve pitched this year and hopefully we can get a couple more here.”

Shields (11-9) also has four shutouts this year. The right-hander is 6-2 in nine career starts against Kansas City.

“James Shields, wow, pretty good stuff,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Very sharp. He had a great look. Nice tempo and finished it off strongly.”

Longoria drove in two runs on a single during the first and hit a two-run homer in the sixth. He has driven in 12 runs over his last 12 games despite having just nine hits during the stretch.

“Longo getting back on track always makes the Rays a better ballclub,” Maddon said.

Longoria has been bothered by a sore spot on his left foot this season, but Maddon said the ailment is much better.

“It seems to be behind him,” Maddon said. “He looks pretty normal now.”

Jeff Francis (4-12) gave up four runs and five hits over seven innings for the Royals. The left-hander retired 15 in a row after allowing the first three batters to reach base in the first.

“I thought Jeff pitched a great game,” Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur said.

The game had a three-man umpiring crew because crew chief Derryl Cousins was unavailble due to a personal matter. The time of the contest was 1 hour, 53 minutes — the fastest nine-inning game in Tampa Bay history.

Longoria put the Rays ahead 2-0 with his two-run single in the first. Desmond Jennings was hit by a pitch and Johnny Damon had a bunt single, and both later scored on Longoria’s hit after a double steal.

Shields struck out eight and walked three.

Kansas City had two on and no outs in the third but failed to score when Alcides Escobar popped out on a sacrifice bunt attempt and Alex Gordon grounded into a double play.

Melky Cabrera was caught stealing at second in the fourth after Billy Butler struck out looking on a 3-2 pitch. The next batter, Eric Hosmer, walked and became the first player to steal a base this season with Shields pitching when he stole second.

Kansas City has scored just one run in losing the first two games of the four-game series. The Royals were hitless in five at-bats with runners in scoring position Tuesday and are 2-for-17 over the last two games.

“We had a couple chances to score, but guys like Shields, you get a guy on third and that’s when they become their best,” Francoeur said.

Damon, who entered mired in a 2-for-31 slide, had two hits in four at-bats. The designated hitter, with 2,682 career hits, moved within one of tying George Davis for 65th place on the all-time list.

— Associated Press —

Casey Kotchman had an eventful night, hitting a game-winning homer and avoiding a whip cream pie in the face from teammate Evan Longoria during a postgame celebration.

Kotchman led off the ninth inning with a home run to lift the Tampa Bay Rays to a 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Monday night.

“I don’t get either one very often,” Kotchman said.

Kotchman drove the first pitch from Blake Wood (5-1) over the centerfield fence. He also knocked in the other Tampa Bay run with a run-scoring single that tied it in the seventh.

“How about Casey?” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Those balls were properly struck. Kotch has been hitting like that all year. It’s fun to watch.”

Kotchman, who has seven multihit outings over his last 10 games, is hitting .341 this season. The greeting he received from the welcoming committee at the plate was a blur.

“Just kind of numb,” he said.

It was Kotchman’s first walk-off hit since he had an RBI single in the Los Angeles Angels’ 2-1 victory over Texas on July 13, 2007. The first baseman has three homers over the last six games after going deep just four times in 93 games to start the season.

Rays closer Kyle Farnsworth (4-1) pitched a perfect ninth to earn the win.

Luke Hochevar allowed one run and five hits over seven innings for the Royals. The right-hander, who had won his previous three starts, had seven strikeouts and two walks.

Rays rookie Jeremy Hellickson, 3-0 in four starts during July, gave up one run and six hits in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out seven and walked three.

“It was a great game,” Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. “There was outstanding pitching from both starters.”

Tampa Bay tied it at 1 in the seventh when Ben Zobrist drew a one-out walk, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on Kotchman’s single.

“Just happy to get the ‘W,” Kotchman said.

Eric Hosmer put the Royals ahead 1-0 on a first-inning RBI single. Alex Gordon, who had been hitless in his first 37 at-bats at Tropicana Field, hit a leadoff double and later scored on Hosmer’s opposite-field hit to left.

Kansas City had a runner in scoring position in four of the first six innings, but went 2 for 10 in those situations. The Royals also failed to take advantage after getting two on with one out during the eighth.

Tampa Bay had two on and one out in the second, but failed to score when Matt Joyce and Robinson Chirinos both struck out.

Hochevar induced double-play grounders in both the fourth and fifth innings.

Kansas City center fielder Melky Cabrera was in the lineup after not starting Sunday’s game because of a sprained left ankle. He went 2 for 4, including a double, and has 47 multihit games this year.

— Associated Press —