Archer in Control as Rays Shut Down Mariners in 3-1 Win

SEATTLE (AP) — Chris Archer became the first pitcher in more than 100 years to reach double-digits in strikeouts without a walk in three straight starts, leading the Tampa Bay Rays over the Seattle Mariners 3-1 Sunday.

Archer (7-4) fanned 11 with zero walks in seven innings. STATS found no other pitcher with such a string in its research dating to 1914.

Archer had five three-ball counts and gave up six hits, along with an unearned run. After striking out 12 against Seattle on May 27 and 15 vs. the Angels last Tuesday, he won his fourth straight decision overall.

Kevin Jepsen pitched the ninth for his fourth save of the season and third in the four-game series.

Mike Montgomery (0-1) pitched well against his former club, but got little run support.