Chris Archer struggles again, Rays fall to Red Sox
BOSTON (AP) -- Tampa Bay right-hander Chris Archer was having a rough enough time this season. Facing a Boston team with a strong history against him didn't help.
Archer was tagged for six runs on eight hits in 4 1/3 innings and the Boston Red Sox beat the Rays 7-3 on Wednesday night.
The 27-year-old right-hander gave up three runs in the first before recording an out and two more in the second as the Rays fell behind 6-0.
"The first inning put the team behind the 8-ball," Archer said. "I didn't execute pitches very well, and they made the most of it."
Archer (0-4) is winless in four starts this season and 0-7 with a 6.39 ERA in his last 10.
He's 1-7 in his career against Boston with a 5.67 ERA.
"I don't want to make an excuse regardless of who's on base, who's at bat," he said. "I'm capable of executing pitches better than I did that first inning."
The loss snapped Tampa Bay's three-game winning streak.
Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer and David Ortiz drove in three runs with a pair of doubles to back Rick Porcello, helping the Red Sox halt a three-game losing streak.
Xander Bogaerts and Chris Young had RBI singles for the Red Sox, who were blanked Tuesday, snapping a 63-game non-shutout streak at home.
With Boston having emptied its bullpen by using six relievers after Joe Kelly left Tuesday's game in the first with a right shoulder impingement, Porcello (3-0) allowed three runs and six hits in seven innings, struck out nine and walked one.
He held the Rays scoreless on two hits through five innings while the Red Sox opened the big lead against Archer. Porcello gave up Corey Dickerson's two-run homer in the sixth.
After being held to one hit in the 3-0, 10-inning loss Tuesday, the Red Sox scored three runs in the first. Bogaerts singled in a run, and Ortiz followed with a two-run double into the left-center gap.
Boston made it 5-0 in the second when Betts homered off a light stanchion above the Green Monster.
Ortiz's RBI double in the fifth made it 6-0. But it may have been a costly trip from first for Bogaerts, who left the after scoring due to left quadriceps tightness.
Tampa Bay closed to 6-2 when Dickerson hit his homer over Boston's bullpen.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: C Hank Conger started behind the plate for the first time since allowing five stolen bases to Cleveland last Thursday. He's 0 for 9 attempting to catch potential base stealers this season after throwing out only 1 of 43 while last year with Houston.
FENWAY STREAK SNAPPED
Rays 3B Evan Longoria went 0 for 4, halting his 15-game hitting streak in Fenway.
UP NEXT
Rays: RHP Jake Odorizzi (0-1, 2.41 ERA) is in line to start the series finale on Thursday. He went seven shutout innings in his last start against the Chicago White Sox.
Red Sox: LHP David Price (2-0, 4.50) is set to face the team that he entered the majors with in 2008. It'll be his fourth career start against the Rays. He's 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in his previous three.
