Tampa Bay @ Kansas City preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2012 ) Tampa Bay 0, Kansas City 8

Sidelined since mid-March with a knee injury, Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez made his season debut on Friday and has played in three of the past four games. Perez, who tore the meniscus in his left knee during spring training, homered in his first game on Friday, caught nine innings on Sunday, and added a hit while catching Luke Hochevar's complete-game shutout in Monday’s 8-0 victory over Tampa Bay. The Rays had several relievers unavailable for Monday’s game after playing a Sunday doubleheader in Philadelphia.

Tampa Bay will start Chris Archer in Tuesday's middle contest of the three-game set. Archer survived a rocky first inning to no-hit the Nationals for five frames in his big-league debut last week. Bruce Chen looks to continue his strong pitching for the Royals. Chen has won six of his past eight decisions, allowing three earned runs or fewer seven times in his past nine starts.

TV: 8:10 p.m. ET, Sun Sports (Tampa Bay), Fox Sports Kansas City (Kansas City).

PITCHING MATCHUP: Tampa Bay RH Chris Archer (0-1, 1.50 ERA) vs. Kansas City LH Bruce Chen (6-6, 4.81 ERA).

Archer pitched very well in his major-league debut on Wednesday against Washington, settling down after a three-run first inning. The 23-year-old right-hander walked just one and struck out seven in six innings.

The 35-year-old Chen has provided veteran stability for the Royals’ rotation. Chen beat Houston in his last start, allowing five hits and one earned run in 5 2/3 innings, walking two and striking out six. Chen has lost just twice since May 5.

WALK-OFFS:

1. Tampa Bay signed infielder Brooks Conrad to a minor-league contract Thursday. Conrad went 3-for-6 with five RBIs in his first three games for the Rays. He added a hit on Monday.

2. After averaging 3.3 runs per game in June through Saturday, the Royals scored eight runs in each of their past two contests.

3. Another injured Kansas City catcher, Manny Pina, has started a rehab assignment in the Rookie Arizona League. Outfielder Lorenzo Cain homered during a rehab game in Double-A on Monday.