Archer’s early-season woes continue

BOSTON — Chris Archer remains a mystery.

The ace of the Rays’ staff has been anything but that in 2016. In Wednesday night’s 7-3 loss at Fenway Park, the Red Sox dished out more of the same treatment Archer has been receiving from opposing teams since the beginning of September.

Entering Wednesday night’s start, Archer had not gone deeper than 5 1/3 innings in any of his three previous starts. Against the Red Sox, he lasted just 4 1/3 innings, allowing six runs on eight hits and three walks to move to 0-4 with a 7.32 ERA.

“I’m not happy by any means,” Archer said, “but nobody said this game was going to be easy. I’m going to continue to work hard, get better every single day, and I really trust and believe that I’ll get past this. It’s a tough stretch. … I’m going to continue to believe in myself and my teammates continue to believe in me. I’m going to be better.”

Archer has not won a game since Aug. 31 at Baltimore. During that 10-game stretch, he is 0-7 with a 6.39 ERA.

“Never, it’s as simple as that, never,” said Archer when asked if he had ever experienced a streak like the one he is going through.

Rays manager …

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