The Yankees entered Wednesday night losers of five of seven and had only scored two runs in dropping the first two games of the series to the surprising Rays.

Shields is one of Tampa Bay’s top young pitchers and big part of the team’s climb to the top of the standings. He was coming off a one-hit shutout of the Los Angeles Angels, but has struggled throughout his against the Yankees.

Cano’s RBI single broke a scoreless tie, and Abreu’s pop fly down the left-field line dropped for a run-scoring double that made it 2-0. That was all the support Mussina needed to get his 109th win as a Yankee.

Carlos Pena had two of Tampa Bay’s five hits off the Yankees starter, who walked one and struck out four before being replaced by Ross Ohlendorf with a runner on first and one out in the seventh.

The first two batters the reliever faced, Cliff Floyd and Dioner Navarro, singled to break up the shutout. Ohlendorf avoided further damage when Gabe Gross’ hard liner headed for left center was snagged by Jeter, and Floyd was doubled off second base to end the inning.

Shields fell to 0-6 in seven career starts against the Yankees, who also beat him 2-0 in New York on April 6.

“It doesn’t frustrate me. Losses are losses, wins are wins. I’m going to beat them one day,” Shields said. “I think I’ll be here for a little bit, I’m sure I’ll get my share of wins.”

Notes: Mussina tied Fritz Peterson and Spud Chandler for 15th on the Yankees’ win list. ... Girardi tinkered with his batting order, dropping Jeter from second to third and moving Abreu up to second. ... Yankees RHP Jeff Karstens (groin strain) pitched five innings in an extended spring training game and could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week. ... Hall of Fame boxing trainer Angelo Dundee addressed the Rays in the clubhouse before the game. ... Rays RHP Al Reyes (right shoulder impingement) was activated from the 15-day DL. RHP Scott Dohmann was designated for assignment.

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