ST. PETERSBURG -- The Danny Duffy that has become the ace of the staff is the one the Royals have envisioned for years.
That Duffy was on full display again on Monday night as he carried a no-hitter through seven innings and dominated the Rays in a 3-0 win at Tropicana Field. Duffy finished with a one-hitter through eight innings and struck out a franchise-record 16.
To put it simply, the Rays simply had no chance -- only nine batters even put the ball in play, none on the ground. Outside of Desmond Jennings' leadoff double in the eighth that broke up the no-no, the Rays either struck out or hit weak popups and fly balls.