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KC@HOU: Chen fires 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball

Happy to have the butterflies out of his system after his first Major League start, Rays right-hander Chris Archer said he'll be much calmer in Tuesday's start against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium.

"Just being here for about a week is more relaxing, and I'm pretty sure that'll translate out to the field," Archer said.

The rookie went six innings in his Major League debut on Wednesday, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits against the Nationals. However, with Stephen Strasburg on the hill, the Rays could plate only two runs, and Archer took the loss.

Washington was especially impressed with Archer's poise after the right-hander gave up three runs in the first inning.

"You have to tip your hat to that kid Archer," Nationals manager Davey Johnson said. "He looked like he was awful nervous in that first inning, thought we had him on the ropes. He settled down and pitched a heck of a ballgame."

Meanwhile, veteran left-hander Bruce Chen will be on the hill for the Royals, happy to have some home cooking after his last three starts were on the road.

Chen got his sixth win of the season on Wednesday, going 5 2/3 innings and surrendering one run on five hits against the Astros. He also walked two and struck out six to lower his ERA to 4.81.

And even with an 8-0 win over the Rays on Monday, the Royals know that getting a series win will be a tough task, especially against a team that has such a deep pool of talent.

"I think there are a lot of similarities there, going back years ago when they totally re-stocked their farm system with great talent, brought 'em all together to the big leagues and let them develop as a team at the big league level until they had some pretty darn good success," Royals manager Ned Yost said of the similarities between both teams. "We're trying to do the same thing."

Rays: Hellickson likely to face Tigers
• Injured Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson threw an extended bullpen session on Monday, with the plan for him to start on Saturday against the Tigers.

"It went good. I threw 60 pitches, probably at 80, 90 percent. I felt really good," Hellickson said.

Hellickson said he would probably throw another bullpen on Wednesday. He has been on the disabled list since June 20 with right shoulder inflammation.

• Rays designated hitter Luke Scott clubbed two home runs in the first game of his rehab assignment with Triple-A Durham on Monday, also his 34th birthday.

Royals: Perez says knee is fine
• After catching three full games in his return to the Royals, Salvador Perez said he is pain-free.

"My knee feels 100 percent, I feel nothing in my knee," Perez said. "It's unbelievable what they did."

Perez underwent left knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus on March 16. He returned on Friday night for the Cardinals series and caught all nine innings before taking off on Saturday. Perez again caught nine innings on Sunday -- with the temperature hovering at 100 degrees -- and was back in the starting lineup for Monday night's series opener against the Rays.

• Right-hander Roman Colon, designated for assignment by the Royals on Saturday, cleared waivers and accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Omaha.

Worth noting
• With his next win, Bruce Chen will tie Juan Berenguer for second all-time among Panamian-born players with 67 wins. Mariano Rivera tops the list with 76 wins.

• Catcher Manny Pina, out following knee surgery since Spring Training, has started a rehab assignment with the Surprise Royals in the Rookie Arizona League.

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