video thumbnail

KC@TB: Price three-hits Royals in eight-inning gem

Rays ace David Price turned in one of his worst performances of the season in his last outing, as he was saddled with his first loss in more than two months on Monday.

But pardon manager Joe Maddon if he doesn't seem too concerned about Price's next start on Sunday against the Blue Jays, as his club looks to salvage a split in the four-game set.

"He's going to be fine," Maddon said. "David's going to be fine. You can't be perfect all year. He'd been pretty much perfect to that point."

Prior to getting tagged for six runs on 10 hits against the Rangers, Price had allowed just six combined hits over 15 scoreless innings in his prior two outings. He had also notched 12 straight quality starts since his last loss on June 13, pitching at least seven innings in each of those 12 outings.

The Rays could certainly use a bounce-back performance from Price, considering they enter Sunday's series finale 1 1/2 games out of the second American League Wild Card spot. Entering Price's subpar start in Texas, the Rays were atop the Wild Card standings and making a push toward the top of the AL East.

With Saturday's win being just the second in their last eight contests, however, the Rays are counting on their ace to help right the ship.

"He's focused. He didn't like what happened," Maddon said of Price. "Regardless, look at his game log this year, it's ridiculous how consistent he's been. ... He's given us a chance to win almost every game he's pitched in. [A bad game] had to happen at some point.

"I really believe he's going to be really good [on Sunday]."

While Price hadn't dropped a decision in the past two months, he will be matched against Ricky Romero on Sunday, who hasn't won a game in more than two months.

Romero has gone 0-11 in his last 12 outings since a June 22 victory that pushed his record to 8-1 at the time. He now sits at 8-12 on the year with an unsightly 5.50 ERA.

The left-hander made a strong bid to end his skid on Tuesday against the Yankees, allowing just two runs over seven innings of work. He received just one run of support, though, and took another loss in a 2-1 defeat.

"I felt aggressive, I definitely did," Romero said after his last start. "I felt like I was out there and I put everything away that I've worked on, and let it come naturally. That's what I did."

Rays: Maddon OK with catcher collisions
• It's not often that a game ends with an out at home plate, yet that's exactly how each of the last two games in this series have come to a conclusion.

After Blue Jays catcher Jeff Mathis held on after a collision at the plate for the final out in Friday night's victory, Rays catcher Jose Molina did the same in the Rays' victory on Saturday. Though his team came out on the losing end on Friday night, Maddon had no problem with the types of plays that have ended the last two ballgames.

"Perfect example [on Friday] night of a good baseball play," Maddon said prior to his catcher turning the same trick on Saturday. "Those that want to change the rule ... teach your catcher to do a better job of making that play."

Blue Jays: Cecil to pitch out of 'pen upon return
• The Blue Jays don't plan to make any September callups from Triple-A Las Vegas until Tuesday, when Vegas' season concludes.

Among those callups will be left-hander Brett Cecil, though his role will change once he arrives. Cecil, who made nine starts for the Jays earlier this season and has been in Las Vegas' starting rotation, will pitch out of the bullpen once he returns to Toronto.

"His splits have always been good. We will never rule out him being able to start again. But right now, some other guys have gone ahead of him from the starting-rotation standpoint," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said.

Worth noting
• Luke Scott is just 1-for-17 (.059) in his career against Romero. His lone hit was a solo home run.

• Price is 11-2 with a 2.26 ERA in his career against the Jays.

MLB.com Comments