Danny Duffy took the loss in the series opener at Boston (photo/MLB)

Danny Duffy (file photo/MLB)

Danny Duffy set a Kansas City Royals franchise-record with 16 strikeouts to lead his team to a 3-0 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday night.

Duffy (7-1) even flirted with the Royals’ first no-hitter in nearly 25 years before giving up a line-drive double to Desmond Jennings leading off the Tampa Bay eighth.

Bret Saberhagen pitched the Royals’ last no-hitter on Aug. 26, 1991, and Zack Greinke recorded 15 strikeouts and held the record until Monday night.

What a great turnaround for the one-time hot prospect who walked away from the game in 2010.  Duffy later returned to the club in June after walking out that previous spring training.

Its looks like Duffy is here to stay in the Royals’ rotation.