Chris Archer pulled a bunt back and slapped an RBI single -- for his first career hit and RBI
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On Tuesday afternoon, the Rays began an Interleague series with the Cubs at Wrigley Field, which provided Chris Archer with a chance to pitch against his former organization.
It also, of course, gave Archer another opportunity to bat -- something he hasn't done much of so far in his MLB career. Entering Tuesday's start, Archer owned an .000/.043/.000 line in 23 official plate appearances since 2012. By baseball logic, he was "due" for his first big league hit, then.
In the Rays' five-run fourth inning against Jon Lester, Archer did pick up his first-ever base hit ... as a key part of the rally, and after failing to drop down a sacrifice bunt. Still showing bunt, Archer pulled the bat back and did this instead:
And the #NeverBunt crowd rejoiced.
After the game, which the Rays won, 6-5, it was revealed that Archer had used a bat belonging to fellow rotation mate Alex Cobb for his fateful at-bat. Safe to say, he won't be returning it: