Game 69: Chris Archer Struggles, Error Dooms Rays

The Rays lost the second game of the short road trip to the Houston Astros 7-3. A disastrous 3^rd inning proved to be the difference. Chris Archer only lasted one hitter into the 3^rd inning, and while he only allowed one earned run, his control issues did him in. His final line was 3+ innings pitched allowing 6 runs (1 earned) on 3 hits while striking out 2 and walking 3.  The Rays offense totaled 10 hits on the day but couldn’t mount a comeback.

The Rays struck first when Kevin Kiermaier doubled then Evan Longoria followed with a single to bring him in. Chris Archer was off to a good start until a big error began the downfall in the 3^rd inning. After Marwin Gonzalez doubled then advanced to third on a wild pitch, Archer got Jonathan Villar to lineout to second. With a runner on third and two outs, Dexter Fowler hit a chopper to James Loney, which should’ve been the last out of the inning. A bad throw to Archer covering the base allowed the runner to be safe. Archer then hit George Springer and walked both Jonathan Singleton and Jason Castro. Matt Dominguez then followed up with a double off the left field wall to clear the bases.

Cesar Ramos came in and allowed two more runs to come in on a Dexter Fowler double in the 4^th but then settled down and gave the Rays three good innings. Evan Longoria brought the Rays back within 4 on a two-run homer but that would be the only runs scored the rest of the game.

The Rays will send David Price to the mound in the rubber game to face Brad Peacock at 2:10 PM EST tomorrow.