Shields studied the best pickoff artists, zeroing in on the work of former Baltimore Oriole and Yankee pitcher Mike Mussina.

WSJ: Derek Jeter's Jump Throw, Adrian Beltre's One-Knee Home Run, Robinson Cano's Cross-Body Throw, James Shields's Crouching Pickoff Move: Baseball's Signature Moves

Shields, a Tampa Bay Rays starter, grew up believing that a pitcher with an effective pickoff move has an extra weapon at his disposal.

WSJ: Derek Jeter's Jump Throw, Adrian Beltre's One-Knee Home Run, Robinson Cano's Cross-Body Throw, James Shields's Crouching Pickoff Move: Baseball's Signature Moves

The Marlins scored twice on three hits and a walk in the first against Sabathia, who also was charged with an error on an errant pickoff attempt to first.

WSJ: Sabathia pitches 5 innings in spring debut