Every now and then, a player takes a game as his own. Every now and then, the other players on the field are only supporting characters.
For Chris Archer of the Tampa Bay Rays, Thursday’s game against the Houston Astros was such a night.
Archer was as impressive as in any game this season, throwing a one-hit shutout against the Astros and striking out 11 batters. It was the Rays’ first complete game in the last 154, and Archer’s first in two years (which was also against Houston).
Odd, but Archer actually had a slow start, walking Jose Altuve on four pitches to start the game. After that, however, the only baserunner he allowed was when Colby Rasmus had a single to lead off the fifth inning. During the game, Archer also became the fourth Rays pitcher ever to pass the 200-strikeout barrier. Scott Kazmir (239), James Shields (225 and 223) and David Price (218 and 205) also had 200 strikeout seasons.
Archer had been struggling. In his last outing, Archer had given up 11 hits and eight runs (seven earned) against the Rangers. He was 3-6 in his last nine games, and 1-4 in his last five. He had only one win since June 23, when he was 9-4.
But this was Archer at his best. The bullpen, which had blown the last two games, never had to loosen.
The Rays got the only run they would need in the fourth inning when Desmond Jennings singled home Logan Forsythe.
Drew Smyly starts today’s game for the Rays against Oakland against youngster Chris Bassitt.
