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Shoppach has homered twice in Game 1 of the
ALDS.

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their Cinderella run in Game 1 of the ALDS thanks in large part to the bat of catcher Kelly Shoppach. Already leading 3-0 after a three-run second inning off Texas starter C.J. Wilson, Shoppach came to the plate with two-on and two-out in the top of the third, launching a towering drive to dead center increasing the Rays lead to 6-0.

Then in the top of the fifth after two quick strikes outs, Johnny Damon, who got the scoring started with a two-run home run in the second, reached on a throwing error by third baseman Adrian Beltre. The error would allow Shoppach to hit his second home run of the game off Wilson and give the Rays a 8-0 advantage.

Shoppach hit only .176 during the regular season, but flexed his power with 11 home runs and 22 RBIs in only 87 games.

He was acquired by the Rays back on Dec. 2, 2009 in a deal with the Cleveland Indians.

Manager Joe Maddon, who is the now the current favorite to be named the AL Manager of the Year, continues to push all the right buttons including the decision to start rookie phenom Matt Moore in Game 1 of the ALDS.

Moore is currently at 98 pitches, 62 for strikes, after seven shutout innings allowing only two hits with six strike outs, in only his second career major league start and his first postseason appearance.

It is the 58th time this year a Rays starter has gone seven innings with allowing two runs or fewer.

8-0 Tampa Bay TOP 8