The last time Chris Archer tossed a complete game shutout (the 5-0 shutout of the Astros just prior to the All-Star Break), he called the outing the best of his career. Keep in mind, up to that point Archer had never gone more than seven innings in a game. Well kids, backed with an electric fastball and a sharp slider, Archer not only tossed another complete game shutout, he did so by giving up only two hits. I’d reckon that yesterday’s outing may have superseded his first complete game shutout.
The Rays RHP performed closer to his splits Saturday, striking out six batters while inducing 12 ground-ball outs and nine fly-ball outs, all the while walking none. Archer was able to stifle any hard hit balls, and only one Yankee was able to get into scoring position — Brett Gardner, who hit a ground rule double in the sixth inning.
This isn’t to take anything away from Ivan Nova, he was excellent. Nova, historically, has dominated the Rays. Prior to yesterday’s match-up, Nova sported a 4-1 record with a 2.20 ERA against the Rays in Yankee Stadium. Yesterday was no different. Leaning heavily on a very sharp curveball, Nova limited the Rays to one run in his seven innings of work, while striking out eight batters, walking three, and allowing six hits.
By the by, I live blogged the game. You can check out the blow-by-blow account at our Tumblr page.
The New What Next
Matt Moore and the Rays will go for the series sweep against Phil Hughes and the Yankees this afternoon. You can read about the pitching match-up here.
Rays 7/28/13 Starting Lineup
Jennings CF
Scott DH
Longoria 3B
Loney 1B
Myers RF
Joyce LF
Johnson 2B
Lobaton C
Escobar SS
Moore LHP
Noteworthiness
Here are some nuggets to mull over, while you sip your coffee this fine day (courtesy of DRaysBay):
- The team is 21-0 in Chris Archer, Jeremy Hellickson and Matt Moore’s last seven starts.
- In his last four starts, David Price has 3 complete games.
- The starting rotation is 16-3 with a 1.92 ERA in the month of July.
- Price – 4-1, 1.76 ERA, .78 WHIP, 27 strikeouts and only one walk in 41 IP.
- Archer – two complete game shutouts, 4-0, 0.73 ERA, .65 WHIP, he’s the first pitcher of any age to shut out the Yanks in the Bronx without a walk since Greg Maddux in 1997. Archer went 4-0 with a 0.73 ERA in July and he might not even have the best month on the team.
- Chris Archer is the first visiting pitcher to throw a 1-0 shutout against the Yankees, while allowing two hits or fewer and no walks in 78 years. The last was Wes Ferrell in 1935 with the Red Sox.
- Moore – 0.91 ERA, .67 WHIP.
- Per Barry and Orestes, prior to 2013 the Rays pitchers put together five complete game shutouts in franchise history. The Rays pitchers have put four together in the last month alone.
- Yeah, is it really surprising that this Masshole is a jag-off? Cough…could their be cracks in the Red Sox foundation?
