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Struggling Archer remains confident of solution

 
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) after coming out of the game in the sixth inning between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians in Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Thursday, April 14, 2016.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Chris Archer (22) after coming out of the game in the sixth inning between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians in Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Thursday, April 14, 2016.
Published April 22, 2016

BOSTON — There have been plenty of suggestions flying around from amateur coaches, psychologists, schedule-makers and even hair stylists about what RHP Chris Archer needs to do differently to escape the worst slump of his pro career, evidenced by his 0-4, 7.32 start.

But Archer is confident he has the answer, that — in a way victim of his own success and stubbornness — he can best get back to doing good by being less concerned with being great.

"I think the root of it is I have to be in the strike zone more. … So it's about getting ahead early," Archer said Thursday morning.

"And then whenever I do get ahead, not trying to throw the most nasty pitch in the world because my "normal" is beyond average. It's just when you are in the heat of the moment sometimes you really want to rip on something, whether it's fastball or slider or changeup, and that takes away from the effectiveness."

Could there be other factors?

• Archer didn't have a routine spring of preparation, as weather and strategic scheduling forced his last three outings to be in the batting cage, a minor-league game and an intrasquad game. The Rays say Archer is healthy, and Archer said there is nothing wrong with his mechanics.

• Archer has acknowledged not having had his elite-level slider, and moved away from it in Wednesday's game to throw more changeups, the pitch he focused on during the spring.

• After working primarily last year with since-released C Rene Rivera, Archer has been paired in all four starts this year with new C Hank Conger, and they have not necessarily been in synch. And with Conger having major difficulties throwing out base stealers, Archer has to put a heavy focus on keeping runners close and being quick to the plate. (As a result, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Rays on Monday try C Curt Casali, who caught Archer once in 2015, seven times in '14.).

• Pitching coach Jim Hickey mentioned several other possibilities: Some slight flaws in Archer's delivery early on, opponents adjusting to Archer's repertoire, and the absence of early strikes to set up the slider and make it more effective.

Hickey said they "may try something a little different" in Archer's next bullpen session, but Archer, who has remained diligent in his prep and conditioning, has to battle through it.

"Ultimately that's going to come from him," Hickey said. "I think maybe I can help a little bit, but I don't have any magic potion in my back pocket that's going to take care of it. He's just going to have to get back to work."

MVP ERASMO? RHP Erasmo Ramirez has done everything the Rays have asked, and very well. Moved to the bullpen, he has provided clutch and dependable relief, as he did again Thursday, getting four huge outs and his fourth win. Asked to make a spot start last Saturday, he pitched effectively, and efficiently, into the sixth.

MVP? "There's no might about it," manager Kevin Cash said. "I think he probably is. He's been tremendous, he comes into any situation and continues to make big pitches."

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Assuming they are not rained out tonight, the Rays were planning to start Ramirez again Saturday, but now may have to make other plans

HIT CLUB: OF Brandon Guyer had an adventurous day, getting on base five times (including three HBPs) but making a baserunning blunder and botching a ball in leftfield. Guyer has been hit five times this season after an AL-leading 24 last season.

MISCELLANY: Archer today is slated to visit the Dream Charter School operated by the Harlem RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program. … 1B Logan Morrison (2-for-40) and SS Brad Miller (5-for-43) were not in the lineup as the Rays went very right-handed vs. Price and will do so again tonight against LHP CC Sabathia. … 3B Evan Longoria said he couldn't make eye contact with good buddy Price after his third-inning homer: "I have too much respect for him."