ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Chris Archer allowed three hits in 6 2/3 innings, Kevin Kiermaier and Evan Longoria homered on consecutive pitches, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Houston Astros 5-0 on Thursday night.Archer (4-4) struck out eight and walked two to help the Rays win for the sixth time in the last 23 games.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.The Rays took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Yunel Escobar's run-scoring single and a bunt by Ryan Hanigan. Tampa Bay got a break when Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar dropped a throw on Brandon Guyer's potential double-play grounder after a leadoff single by James Loney.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.
Collin McHugh (4-5) gave up two unearned runs and four hits over six innings on his 27th birthday.The Rays took a 2-0 lead in the fourth on Yunel Escobar's run-scoring single and a bunt by Ryan Hanigan. Tampa Bay got a break when Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar dropped a throw on Brandon Guyer's potential double-play grounder after a leadoff single by James Loney.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.
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