Colby Rasmus celebrates his sixth career grand slam in the eighth inning of Wednesday’s ball game. (Photo Credit: Will Vragovic/Tampa Bay Times)

The Tampa Bay Rays bounced back from a pair of tough losses against Kansas City, by absolutely destroying the Royals on Wednesday, 12-1. In lieu of a formal game recap, here are some important numbers/events from the shellacking.

Three

As in three home runs by Tampa Bay, totaling seven of the Rays’ 12 runs. Logan Morrison and Rickie Weeks went back-to-back in the third inning, and Colby Rasmus hit his sixth career grand slam in the eighth.

444

As in 444 feet, the measure of Logan Morrison’s monster shot.

(Credit: ESPN)

Elevan

As in 11 strikeouts by Chris Archer, who was phenomenal on the mound.

Archer posted eight strong innings of shutout baseball, scattering just five hits along the. Of his 101 pitches 73 were strikes — including 18 swings-and-misses. Believe it or not, Archer threw nine changeups — five of which were strikes, and only one was put put into play for an out. He avoided trouble, and threw no more than 15 pitches in any inning, and faced more than four hitters only once, in the seventh.

 

One

As in the number of batters hit by errant pitches. Archer hit the Royals catcher with a pitch in the seventh inning, and Salvador Perez reacted angrily. Words were exchanged, and both benches were warned, before Perez was lifted for a pinch-runner with the Royals down 7-0.

Archer, Perez exchange words after hit by pitch – ESPN Video

Chris Archer hits Salvador Perez on the elbow in the seventh inning and the two would exchange pleasantries as Perez heads to first base.

 

For his part, Perez was none too happy by the HBP:

Six

As in the number of Rays who had multi-hit games:

Corey Dickerson 2-4, 3 R, RBI
Evan Longoria 2-4, RBI
Rickie Weeks Jr. 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI
Colby Rasmus 3-5, 4 R, 2 RBI
Tim Beckham 2-5
Derek Norris 2-3, RBI, R

The New What Next

The Rays look to split the series with Kansas City on Thursday afternoon with Jake Odorizzi (2-1, 2.88 ERA, 4.64 FIP) on the mound. Left-hander Jason Vargas (4-1, 1.19 ERA, 2.16 FIP) will start opposite of Odorizzi.

Odorizzi pitched a quality start on Saturday against the Blue Jays, allowing just three hits over seven innings. He completely shut down the Blue Jays while getting plenty of run support on his way to his second win of the season. He’s gone four consecutive starts without allowing more than an earned run, pitching to a 2.88 ERA to boot. The right-hander is 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA in five career appearances (four starts) against his former team, the Royals.

Vargas tossed six shutout innings against Cleveland on Saturday, allowing four hits while fanning six in a no-decision. In spite of a 4-5 record in 10 career starts against Tampa Bay, he has held the Rays to a 3.11 ERA and is a tough competitor to say the least. This season he has relied primarily on his 87 mph four-seam fastball and 81 mph circle changeup, while also mixing in a 74 mph knuckle curveball and an 87 mph two-seam fastball/sinker. Key matchups: Evan Longoria (7-23, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB), Brad Miller (4-8), Rickie Weeks Jr. (2B, HR, 2 RBI)

You can read about the pitching matchup, and so much more, in our series preview, and I’ll post the starting lineup upon availability.

Rays 5/11/17 Starting Lineup

Beckham SS
Dickerson LF
Longoria 3B
Morrison 1B
Weeks DH
Robertson 2B
Kiermaier CF
Norris C
Odorizzi RHP

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