Chris Archer had a career-high 12 strikeouts in seven innings and Matt Joyce hit the first of Tampa Bay's three early home runs in a 10-1 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night.
Archer (8-6) had his only two walks in the first three batters he faced. But the hard-throwing right-hander got out of the inning when Alex Rios went down swinging, the first of six consecutive Rangers he struck out.
It was Archer's third career game with at least 10 strikeouts, and two have come against the Rangers. He struck out 11 against Texas in a home game on Sept. 8, 2012, in his third career start.
Joyce homered in the first, an inning before Sean Rodriguez and Brandon Guyer hit two-run shots off righty Miles Mikolas (1-5).
Mikolas allowed 10 runs and nine hits, and was gone four batters into the seventh without getting an out. His season ERA rose from 6.57 to 7.71.
James Loney drove in two runs with his three singles for Tampa Bay, which extended its AL record by allowing three runs or less in 17 consecutive road games. Only the 1908 Chicago Cubs had a longer stretch -- 21 in a row.
Texas got its only run when Leonys Martin had a leadoff double in the fifth and came home on Jim Adduci's sacrifice fly.
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Left-hander Alex Claudio, whose contract was purchased from Triple-A Round Rock earlier Wednesday when Rangers ace Yu Darvish went on the disabled list, retired all three batters he faced in his major league debut.
Claudio became the club-record 56th different player used by Texas this season. He was the record 34th pitcher, and that became 35 in the ninth when catcher J.P. Arencibia pitched in the majors for the first time. He was the third position player to pitch for the Rangers this year.
Arencibia allowed one hit in a scoreless inning.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Rays: CF Desmond Jennings didn't play because of a sore shoulder, a night after slamming hard into the wall while making an incredible running catch. Jennings could be back in the lineup Thursday.
Rangers: Darvish was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of right elbow inflammation and won't start the series finale Thursday as scheduled. The move was retroactive to Sunday, a day after Darvish lost his last start. INF Jurickson Profar, out all season because of a torn muscle in his shoulder, took some grounders without making any throws.
UP NEXT
Rookie RHP Jake Odorizzi (8-9) pitches for the Rays, who wrap up a 10-game road trip. Tampa is 5-4 on this trip, and 20-6 away from home since June 15. LHP Robbie Ross (2-4) is set to be recalled from Triple-A Round Rock to start in Darvish's spot. Texas has lost 20 of its last 27 home games.
