Archer earns 200th K in 10-strikeout effort

HOUSTON — Chris Archer reached one milestone while avoiding another on Sunday.

The Rays right-hander struck out 10 in the Rays’ 10-4 win, moving him to 202 strikeouts for the season. He also picked up the win, which prevented him from tying Tanyon Sturtze, who set the club record with 18 losses in 2002 when he went 4-18.

When Archer struck out A.J. Reed swinging to end the sixth, he logged his eighth strikeout of the game and his 200th of the season.

“Elite stuff,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash when asked what reaching 200 strikeouts means. “You’re putting yourself in a category that not a lot of pitchers get into.”

Rays catcher Luke Maile said Archer did a “really nice job of throwing strikes” on Sunday.

“That’s kind of been the consistent theme of when he’s had really good starts, he’s been in that strike zone a lot,” Maile said.

Archer said giving the bullpen a rest was his “No. 1 initiative” going into the game.

“I think …

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