Talk » extend his hitting streak to a career-high 13

NEW YORK -- Chris Archer popped out of the dugout for the bottom of the ninth inning and allowed himself to take a quick peek at left field. Yep, he saw relievers Fernando Rodney and Joel Peralta warming up. Nope, he didnt care. "I was feeling confident we wouldnt have to go the bullpen," the rookie said. Boy, was he right. Archer threw a two-hitter for his second shutout in three starts, outpitching Ivan Nova and leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a 1-0 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday Kelly Johnson had an RBI single off Nova (4-4) in the sixth to help the AL East-leading Rays improve to 24-5 since June 23, when they were in last place. Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said before the game Archer (6-3) embraces the big moments, and he sure did once again at Yankee Stadium. The 24-year-old right-hander with a Captain America lunch box in his locker never threw more than 14 pitches in an inning and needed just 97 overall -- 67 for strikes -- for his second career complete game. Even more impressive: Archer became the first visiting rookie to toss a complete-game shutout in the Bronx since Arthur Rhodes in 1992. Archer gave up a single to Lyle Overbay with one out in the fifth and a ground-rule double to Brett Gardner in the sixth for New Yorks only hits in its sixth loss in nine games since the All-Star break. "I dont feel helpless," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "I still believe in these guys. I see how they go about their business." Archer did not walk a batter and struck out six. After catching Ichiro Suzukis comebacker and tossing to first for the final out, Tampa Bays starters met in front of the mound for what is becoming a common occurrence: the starting fives group chest bump reserved for complete-game victories. Archers gem was the teams third in six games this week. It was also the Rays sixth shutout in July, a club record. "To follow the other starters in the bunch makes it easier for me," Archer said. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs before the 2011 season in a deal for Matt Garza, Archer enjoyed his best month as a major leaguer. He shut out Houston with a five-hitter on July 14 and his ERA for July is 0.73, an AL record for rookies. The Angels Bob Lee had an 0.76 ERA in 1964. Archer outpitched Nova in the Bronx for the second time this season. Last month, Archer won by holding the Yankees to one run over six innings. "Thats like a classic, old mid-60s kind of pitchers duel at Yankee Stadium," Maddon said of Saturdays matchup. "It was incredible to watch." Derek Jeter again was absent from the lineup and the Yankees newest hope to provide power -- Alfonso Soriano -- was hitless in three at-bats, leaving him 0 for 8 since returning to New York. Jeter was eligible to come off the disabled list Saturday but instead played a simulated game at a location that Yankees would not disclose until long after he had eight at-bats at the Staten Island Yankees home field. Girardi said Jeter will start at shortstop Sunday for the Yankees if he has no setbacks. "You can be in great shape, but playing shapes a little bit different because youre getting used to standing around, starting and stopping, so we had to do all that," Girardi said. "As of right now, he came out very well. So well see how he feels tomorrow." With the captain out and Alex Rodriguez, on his 38th birthday, rehabbing his quadriceps strain at the Yankees minor league complex in Tampa, Fla., alongside other injured stars, including Curtis Granderson, the Yankees bats were again dormant. And now they will be without designated hitter Travis Hafner for at least 15 days. The lefty-swinging slugger had an MRI Saturday that showed a right rotator cuff strain. He will be put on the DL Sunday. The Yankees have not homered in nine straight games, their longest streak since going 10 in a row in 1984. Nova matched Archer with a mixture of fastballs that reached 96 mph and a biting curveball that had the Rays swinging at dirt. He yielded six hits in seven innings. Nova threw 62 curveballs out of his 105 pitches in seven innings. He struck out the side in the fourth after Wil Myers led off with a double and James Loney followed with one of Novas three walks. Nova finished off the fifth with strikeouts of out Desmond Jennings and Evan Longoria. Longoria chased a breaking pitch down and away and smacked the barrel of his bat in frustration. "He was good," catcher Chris Stewart said. "His fastball command was strong down in the zone, with movement. He got a lot of groundball outs, mixed in the curveball. Had some jams out there but he was able to make some good pitches to get out of them." The walks finally hurt Nova in the sixth. His free pass to Matt Joyce with two outs put runners on first and second and extended the inning to allow Kelly Johnson a chance to bat. Johnson then got enough of a 95 mph fastball to bloop it out into centre field to drive in Ben Zobrist for a 1-0 lead. Zobrist had reached on a fielders choice and stolen second base. NOTES: Tampa Bay DH Luke Scott was kept out of the lineup. He had soreness in the shoulder/upper back area but said postgame that he would be fine to play Sunday. ... Rodriguez did light running in the outfield, played catch, hit off a tee in the indoor cage and took 17 grounders hit directly at him on the grass in front of the dirt at third. Six fans, one with a poster board sign saying "Happy Birthday Alex" were there when he left. ... Maddon became a grandfather for the fourth time. Giuseppe Ennio Maddon was born Friday night. Billy Wagner Jersey . Lack made 20 saves for his third shutout of the season as the Canucks blanked the St. Louis Blues 1-0 in the first post-Olympic game for both teams night. Jim Umbricht Jersey . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. http://www.customastrosjersey.com/custom-josh-reddick-jersey-large-1496y.html . The Oilers come in having lost five in a row (0-4-1) and 16 of their last 20 games, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday. Brad Lidge Jersey .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Luis Gonzalez Jersey . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands.DENVER -- Recalled from the minors over the weekend by the Colorado Rockies, Tyler Colvin didnt take long to make his presence felt. Colvin homered twice and drove in four runs in his first start since his call-up, Jhoulys Chacin won for the first time since April, and the Colorado Rockies beat the Washington Nationals 8-3 on Tuesday night. "Its one thing to be here, but I know I can contribute and help this team win," said Colvin, who opened the season at Triple-A Colorado Springs after spending all of last year with the Rockies. "Games like tonight justify why Im here, you know?" Carlos Gonzalez hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in Colorados five-run fifth inning, which was touched off by the first of Colvins two two-run homers. "Big night for Tyler," Rockies manager Walt Weiss said. "Hes swung the bat really well since hes been back with us. Hes got enough power to where hes always a threat to go deep, and he did twice tonight." Chacin (4-3), who was struggling with flu-like symptoms the past couple days, allowed two runs and seven hits in five innings. He ended a string of four straight no-decisions and three consecutive losses since his last win on April 19. In that game, he pitched into the seventh inning to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks only to be forced out by lower back tightness. He spent a couple weeks on the disabled list and was dealing with illness in his latest outing. "He was sick tonight, didnt feel good," Weiss said. "He went out there and he had grind through that outing. But he battled and I guess thats the best way to put it, he battled." Chacin felt better after ending his long winless drought. "It was a long stretch without winning a game, but it finally came," Chacin said. "Hopefully, this will start a winning streak." Trailing 2-0, the Rockies got to Dan Haren (4-8) in the fifth, sending 10 men to the plate. Wilin Rosario drew a leadoff walk and Colvin, who made his Rockies debut Sunday as a defensive replacement, drove a 2-1 pitch into the right field seats for his first home run. One out later, pinch-hitter Jordan Pacheco, batting for Chacin, singled up the middle and Dexter Fowler doubled to right. Nolan Arenado grounded out before Gonzalez, who struck out in his two previous at-bats against Haren, smacked an 88 mph cutter the opposite way to put the Rockies in front with his 18th home run of the season.dddddddddddd. "Things were going well, made a couple of mistakes and just couldnt keep the ball in the ballpark," Haren said. "Felt good the first couple of innings, but made a couple of mistakes." Colvin put the Rockies up 7-3 when he connected for a two-run shot in the eighth off reliever Drew Storen. It was his fourth career multihomer game and first since last July 6, also against Washington. The Rockies added a final run on Arenados bases-loaded double play grounder. Haren went five innings and allowed six of his eight hits in the fifth. He lost for the fifth time in the past six outings. "I feel like I am letting the team down," Haren said. "Its not for a lack of effort, its not for a lack of work and not for a lack of belief. I believe every time I step on the mound, Im going to win and I have to keep that feeling. Ive been good for a long time. This is just a bump in the road." Washington took the early lead on Denard Spans two-run double in the second. Ian Desmond had an RBI single in the eighth to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 13 games. However, the Nationals finished with eight hits, ending a season-high string of four consecutive games with double-digit hit totals. Washington fell to 2-9 in its past 11 road games. NOTES: Nationals OF Bryce Harper will be evaluated in a week after getting a cortisone injection in his swollen left knee. Hes also wearing a brace to ensure he rests the joint. ... RHP Stephen Strasburg, whos on the DL with a lat strain, threw a simulated game Tuesday and manager Davey Johnson said he came out of it well. Strasburg is eligible to come off the DL on Sunday. ... Rockies reliever Edgmer Escalona was placed on the 15-day DL with right elbow inflammation and LHP Josh Outman was recalled from Triple A Colorado Springs. ... Michael Cuddyer (rib strain) was out of the Rockies starting lineup for a fourth straight game but is said to be improving and could be back soon. ... Haren has worked a scoreless first inning in 12 of his 13 starts this season. ' ' '