BUFFALO, N.Y. - Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone suddenly has a big hole to fill at defensive co-ordinator with Mike Pettine leaving to take over the Cleveland Browns. With Pettine hired on Thursday, Marrone is forced to enact the contingency plan the team began preparing once Cleveland honed in on his key assistant. "We have a plan in place," Marrone said, in a statement released by the team. "I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Mike on becoming the Browns new head coach and thank him for all of his time and efforts with our team this past season. He did an excellent job of improving our defence, and we wish him the best." Marrone did not reveal a timetable or list of potential candidates. Depending on whether any Bills assistants follow Pettine to Cleveland, Buffalo has several in-house assistants to consider, most notably linebackers coach Jim ONeil and defensive backs coach Donnie Henderson. ONeil has spent the past five seasons working under Pettine, including the first four with the New York Jets. Henderson is the most experienced, having split 29 years as a coach at the NFL and college levels, including stints as a defensive co-ordinator with the Detroit Lions in 2006 and Jets, 2004-05. Replacing Pettine is not something Marrone was anticipating a year after luring the former Jets defensive co-ordinator to Buffalo to become the most-high profile member of his first staff. Pettines departure is a significant blow to a defence that emerged as the Bills strength last season. And the loss has the potential of under-cutting much of the progress the Bills hoped would carry over into next season after a 6-10 finish that extended the NFLs longest active playoff drought to 14 seasons. Continuity also becomes an issue for a defence set to be led by a fourth co-ordinator in as many years. Pettine succeeded Dave Wannstedt, who was fired along with Chan Gailey and his staff a year ago. Wannstedt replaced George Edwards, who struggled during his two years as co-ordinator. Pettine, in one season in Buffalo, played a considerable role in transforming the Bills once-porous defence into an aggressive unit that finished second in the NFL with a franchise-record 57 sacks. Though the Bills were inconsistent against the run, they still finished 10th in the NFL in fewest yards allowed — Buffalos best ranking since finishing second in 2004. The Bills success on defence translated into four players earning Pro Bowl selections, including defensive tackle Marcell Dareus as a last-minute injury replacement. Also selected were defensive linemen Mario Williams and Kyle Williams and safety Jairus Byrd. In November, Pettine indicated he was in no hurry to leave Buffalo. He enjoyed the community and also wanted to continue what he began building with the Bills. Pettines approach and no-nonsense demeanour was popular among players and staff. During the Bills bye weekend off in November, Pettine and a number of assistants spent a weekend sharing a cabin in nearby Ellicottville. He also earned raves among several veterans, including Mario Williams, who led the team with 13 1/2 sacks. Pettine learned his defensive approach under Jets coach Rex Ryan. And its a style thats somewhat unique among NFL teams in placing a premium on players versatility and capability of playing several positions to confuse offences. The secondary benefited in finishing second in the NFL with 23 interceptions. The change at co-ordinator could have an effect on Byrds desire to return to Buffalo. Byrd played last season under a one-year contract after the Bills retained his rights by applying the franchise tag. The Bills have the option of tagging Byrd once more this off-season, but are also making a push to sign the player to a long-term contract. 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It is the Cardinals first stretch of three consecutive road shutouts since Sept. 29, 1962-April 10, 1963 when St. Louis had four in a row. "Pretty amazing," said St. Louis slugger Matt Holliday, who homered. Tampa Bay has been shut out an AL-leading 10 times this season. The Rays, who have lost 14 of 15, have not scored a run in a club-record 28 innings. "Its kind of weird to watch because it just doesnt stay that negative for that long normally," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "It just doesnt but it has. This is truly one of those anomaly moments where weve got to stick together as a group." Wainwright (9-3) scattered seven hits over seven innings. Trevor Rosenthal got the final four outs, including a base-loaded pop fly by Matt Joyce in the eighth, for his 17th save. Holliday put the Cardinals up 1-0 with his fourth homer this season, a long drive to left centre with two outs in the sixth off tough-luck loser Jake Odorizzi (2-7). Holliday and Kolten Wong both returned to the Cardinals lineup. Holliday was scratched Sunday due to a sore lower back, while Wong sat out three games with left shoulder soreness. Holliday said his back is still a little stiff. "Loosened up enough so I could get some good swings," he said. Odorizzi, a Cardinals fan who grew up about 30 miles from Busch Stadium, had a strong performancee in his first game against St.dddddddddddd. Louis. The right-hander gave up one run and three hits in a career-high 7 1-3 innings. "Today I felt I was really executing my pitches and nothing they could do was going to beat me," Odorizzi said. "One mistake by me and I got beat. It was the best outing Ive ever had in the big leagues." Odorizzi had allowed one baserunner, a fourth-inning walk to Holliday, before giving up consecutive two-out singles in the fifth to Jhonny Peralta and John Jay. The inning ended on a fly ball by Peter Bourjos. The Rays threatened in both the first and fourth innings. Ben Zobrist hit a fly ball with two on to end the first. Logan Forsythe lined out to second with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth. "Its a tough lineup, it really is," Wainwright said. "Theyre going through a funk, I know. As soon as we leave town, theyre going to break out. Ive got a feeling." Sam Freeman inherited two runners and then got two key outs in the eighth before Rosenthal replaced him. NOTES: Former Cardinals manager and Tampa native Tony La Russa will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the finale of the two-game interleague series Wednesday night. La Russa will be inducted into baseballs Hall of Fame on July 27. ... Tampa Bay C Ryan Hanigan (right hamstring tightness) will be activated from the 15-day DL on Wednesday. To make room on the roster, C Ali Solis was optioned to Triple-A Durham. ... The Rays signed 2014 first-round draft pick Casey Gillaspie, a 1B out of Wichita State. ... St. Louis 1B Matt Adams (strained left calf) has started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis. ... This was the third time that Tampa Bay C Jose Molina and his brother, Cardinals C Yadier Molina, have played against each other in the majors. ... Rays LHP Erik Bedard (3-4) and St Louis RHP Michael Wacha (4-4) are Wednesdays scheduled starters. ' ' '