Rays starter Chris Archer racked up double-digits in strikeouts and issued no walks for a third consecutive start, helping the Rays fend off the Mariners 3-1 on Sunday. It’s the first time in the modern era that a pitcher has put together three straight starts in which he’s struck out at least 10 and walked none, per ESPN Stats & Info.
Archer allowed only one run on seven hits while walking none and striking out 11. Now with 108 strikeouts, he’s the third to cross the 100-strikeout threshold on the season, joining Corey Kluber and Clayton Kershaw.
Archer, 26, has held the opposition to one or zero runs each of his last five starts and in nine of 13 starts overall. He sports a terrific 1.95 ERA with a 0.96 WHIP and a 108/20 K/BB ratio in 83 innings. Among qualified American League starters, only Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray (1.65) and Astros lefty Dallas Keuchel (1.85) have posted a better ERA. Archer is only in his third full season in the majors and is well on his way to earning his first All-Star nomination.