Cash understands Archer's frustration over being lifted for PH

CLEVELAND -- Chris Archer expressed frustration following Thursday night's Rays win over the Nationals about being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning.

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After the game, Archer told reporters: "For some reason, it's a common theme. I did all I could. Definitely respect the manager's decisions, but at the same time frustrated because my last three innings were quick, strong, my slider was where it needed to be, my fastball command was where it needed to be."

Friday, Rays manager Kevin Cash said it was not a situation he felt he needed to talk about with his ace.

"I think that's a starting pitcher that is really, really good and wanting to pitch, and we want him to pitch," Cash said. "Simple as that. It's a unique situation in a National League game. A lot of factors going into that ... the [rain] delay ... but believe me, we want him to pitch.

"If you come take a ball from a starting pitcher, or tell him they're out of the game and they're like, 'OK,' we've got more issues on our hand. So, for him to want to pitch, we're on board with that."

The Rays were up 5-3 and hoping to score more runs when Nick Franklin pinch-hit for Archer and struck out to end the inning.

"To [Archer's] credit he was pitching really well," Cash said. "But to pick up that extra run, we valued more than potentially one [more] inning of work [from Archer]. I think more or less it was the nature of the National League game."