White Sox's James Shields: Picks up win despite messy outing

Shields (4-6) earned a win Thursday despite allowing four runs on nine hits -- including three homers -- over six innings against the Tigers. He struck out seven and issued one walk.

This was ugly and it could have been much worse; all three homers allowed were solo shots. The fact that he was the "victor" here speaks to the futility of the pitcher win. Shields did turn in a strong performance his last time out Sept. 9 against San Francisco, but the underlying numbers suggest Shields has been even worse over the course of the season than his 5.43 ERA would indicate. He faces the Astros in Houston next week.