ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Chris Archer didnt need much run support for the struggling Tampa Bay hitters. Archer allowed three hits in 6 2/3 innings, Kevin Kiermaier and Evan Longoria homered on consecutive pitches, and the Rays beat the Houston Astros 5-0 on Thursday night. "Tonight he was dominant," Tampa Bay catcher Ryan Hanigan said of Archer. Archer (4-4) struck out eight and walked two to help the Rays win for the sixth time in the last 23 games. "It makes a huge difference when youre pitching ahead," Archer said. "Just getting strike one is key and thats what tonight was proof of." Three Tampa Bay relievers completed a three-hitter, sending Houston to its fourth straight loss. Kiermaier hit a two-run homer before Longoria had a solo drive off Paul Clemens in the seventh. Collin McHugh (4-5) gave up two unearned runs and four hits over six innings on his 27th birthday. "Hes got weapons," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "Hes got know-how too." The Rays took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Yunel Escobars run-scoring single and a bunt by Hanigan. Tampa Bay got a break when shortstop Jonathan Villar dropped a throw on Brandon Guyers potential double-play grounder after a leadoff single by James Loney. "You look at the quality of pitches he was throwing at that point, he pretty much was in control of the game," Astros manager Bo Porter said. "It was a groundball, double-play ball that we end up not recording a single out. Now it turns it into a pretty stressful inning." Jose Altuve opened the Houston fourth with an infield single and swiped second, but was left stranded. The Astros also failed to score during the sixth when Altuve singled and stole his AL-high 26th base. One day after loading the bases with no outs in the first inning and not scoring in a 2-0 loss to Baltimore, the Rays failed to capitalize during the opening frame Thursday despite having runners on first and third and no outs. McHugh struck out Kiermaier and Longoria before getting a comebacker from Loney. Ben Zobrist, 1 for his last 37 with runners in scoring position, popped out, Kiermaier struck out and Longoria hit a liner to third after the first two Rays drew walks in the third. "We had plenty of opportunities early," Maddon said. "It finally kicked in late." NOTES: The Rays placed OF David DeJesus on the 15-day DL with a broken left hand. DeJesus expects his hand will be in a splint for three weeks. ... Guyer (broken left thumb) was activated from the 15-day DL. ... Tampa Bay RHP Jeremy Hellickson (elbow) will need at least one more minor league start. Hellickson has made three rehab starts, including the last two at Triple-A where he has allowed 11 runs and 18 hits over a combined five innings. ... Houston RHP Brad Peacock, (food poisoning), Saturdays scheduled starter, rejoined the team. ... Rays LHP David Price (5-6) and Astros RHP Jarred Cosart (6-5) are Friday nights starters. 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Burnett was happy to escape from New York.DENVER -- Even when the San Francisco Giants pick up a rare win at Coors Field, they still lose. In this case, two pitchers -- starter Matt Cain and reliever Santiago Casilla, who both strained their right hamstrings and will undergo MRIs to determine the severity. Hunter Pence hit one of San Franciscos three solo homers and reliever Yusmeiro Petit threw three sharp innings after Cain left as the Giants beat the Colorado Rockies 5-1 on Wednesday night. "The win was great," Pence said, "but its a huge blow to lose Cain and Casilla." Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Crawford also connected for the NL West-leading Giants, who won at this hitter friendly venue for just the fifth time in 15 games dating back to last season. Cain had good command and was cruising along, not allowing a hit through three innings. Then, on his last pitch of the third, he felt a twinge in his hamstring. Casilla was hurt in the ninth inning when he tried to beat out an infield hit, falling over the bag and rolling several times on the field. He was helped to the dugout by the trainers and was replaced on the mound by Jeremy Affeldt, who finished the game. To think, just moments before in the dugout, Giants manager Bruce Bochy told Casilla to not even bother swinging -- just take it easy at the plate. "I was shocked he was running like that," Bochy said. "Guess he thought he had a hit. I dont know what got into him. Never seen him run like that." Petit (3-1) pitched effectively in Cains place as he and four other relievers limited the best offensive team in the majors to just five hits. Jhoulys Chacin (0-3) worked 5 2-3 innings and allowed three runs, including a homer to Pence in the fourth and another to Sandoval two innings later. "Two bad pitches, two homers, two runs," Chacin said. "I pitched good. We lost and thats all I care about." Crawford added a solo shot off Matt Belisle in the seventh as the Giants took the middle contest to even the three-game series. The Rockies have yet to lose a series at home this year. Trailing 5-0 in the eighth, the Rockies loaded the bases with no outs. Michael Cuddyer sent aa grounder up the middle that Crawford tracked down and scooped over to second base with his glove to start a double play.dddddddddddd Troy Tulowitzki then flew out limit the damage to only a run. Cain was settling into a rhythm when Rockies second baseman D.J. LeMahieu sent a sharp comebacker at the right-hander in the third. While the ball glanced off Cains glove, the Giants came out to check on him. Cain said after the game that had nothing to do with his hamstring injury. Earlier this season, Cain missed 13 games after he cut his right index finger while making a ham-and-cheese sandwich in the Giants clubhouse. The cut didnt require stitches. Optimistic this injury will heal fast? "Well see how tomorrow it feels," Cain said. "Still got some adrenaline going. But its calming down." Carlos Gonzalez also was banged up as he left the game as part of a double-switch in the eighth because of inflammation in his left index finger. He said he had an X-ray during the game and its not broken. "One of those things I have to deal with and get treatment every day," the slugger said. Tulowitzkis torrid hitting at home this season (.521 with eight homers) caught the attention of Giants broadcaster and former major league pitcher Mike Krukow. "Youre always skeptical -- its just the way you are as a player," Krukow said before the game. "Hes hitting as if hes getting signs. Im not accusing anybody of anything." Still, Rockies manager Walt Weiss had some fun with the assertion his shortstop is somehow stealing signs. "We have a light bulb on the scoreboard we flash. Keep an eye on Dinger (the teams mascot), hes involved," Weiss said. "We switch out the balls. Got the umpires in on it. "I love it when other teams talk about that," Weiss said. "I think its great. I think it feeds the beast." NOTES: Bochy said Buster Posey (nerve irritation in lower back) is "doing a lot better" and the catcher could be in the lineup Thursday. ... RHP Tim Hudson (4-2) will take the mound in the series finale on Thursday. The Rockies will throw LHP Jorge De La Rosa (5-3). Blackhawks Jerseys StoreCheap Wild JerseysCheap Red Wings JerseysCheap Maple Leafs JerseysPenguins Jerseys StoreCapitals Jerseys For SaleBlues Jerseys StoreCheap Kings JerseysAdidas Lightning JerseysStars Jerseys For SaleCheap Predators JerseysDucks StoreSharks Jerseys For SaleCheap Sabres JerseysRangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '