News
Price learning simple approach is best
Tampa Bay (51-41) at Chicago (47-44), 8:11 p.m. ET
By Bill Chastain / MLB.com
07/19/09 7:48 PM ET
KANSAS CITY -- Rays left-hander David Price will go to work Monday night in Chicago ready to build on one of the best starts of his career.Price had just experienced the worst start of his career at Texas when he drew the assignment of matching up against Toronto's Roy Halladay on July 9 at Tropicana Field. Price responded by allowing one run on six hits in six innings.
The 23-year-old left-hander attributed the effort to simplifying things on the mound, to where he used an approach that amounted to "see the ball, throw the ball," and the talent took over.
"That's the approach I took," Price said. "I don't know if I told them. I was tired of going out there and being absolutely terrible out there. I'd never done that. I don't want to make that a habit for myself, go out there and give up five, six runs a game. It's not fun."
Tinkering can help a young pitcher. During Spring Training, the Rays wanted Price to refine his changeup because their belief was that with three quality pitches, Price would be well on his way to being a top-of-the-rotation starter. But there are times when that same fine tuning can serve as a deterrent to what needs to be accomplished. The Rays want to win, which means Price will have to develop whatever he needs to develop at the Major League level while trying to win.
Thus, Price came to the conclusion that he needed to revert to what had made him successful in the past.
"There's only so much I can do at a certain time period; they want me to do it and be successful at the same time," Price said. "And it's tough for me to kind of work on things when they want results right now. I know that's not the case with [manager] Joe [Maddon]. He cares about results now, but he wants me to get my work in also."
Price said Maddon took him aside to talk to him after his sixth start in the Majors this season.
"He told me, 'Throw that 3-2 changeup,'" Price said. "He doesn't care if I walk the guy. He doesn't care if the guy hits it for a home run. He just wants me to work on it, and that's huge for him to say that."
Having the confidence to find his own way could be perceived as a growth moment for Price. Maddon smiled at the mention of Price's journey.
"Part of it is, I read one time, at some point you have to close the doors or it gets kind of drafty in there," Maddon said. "I've always kept that in the back of my mind."
Aside from what's going on inside Price's head, he feels good physically and said he is looking forward to Monday night's start.
"The team's playing well, and it starts with the starting pitching," Price said. "[Scott Kazmir] threw outstanding [Saturday], [James] Shields hung in there and gave us a chance [Friday night] and we were able to get the win. That was huge. If we're able to get all five guys kind of rolling on the same road, we'll have some success."
Pitching matchupTB: LHP David Price (3-3, 4.70 ERA)
In his last start, Price displayed much better command and worked his way out of jams with good composure. Price is 0-2 with a 7.27 ERA on the road this season. CWS: RHP Gavin Floyd (7-6, 4.44 ERA)
After a miserable start to the 2009 campaign, the right-hander closed the first half with a flourish. Floyd stopped the White Sox five-game losing streak at the Metrodome on July 11 by giving up five runs on eight hits over 7 2/3 innings. Floyd was touched up by a pair of Joe Crede long balls, but his seven strikeouts and no walks allowed him to limit the damage. In his last 10 starts leading up to the All-Star break, Floyd posted a 5-2 record with a 2.40 ERA. Floyd has a 1-0 record with a 2.57 ERA against the Rays this season and that start stands as his only career appearance against Tampa Bay. Floyd has a 13-8 record at U.S. Cellular Field. Tidbits
Kazmir looked fine Sunday morning after leaving Saturday night's game with cramping in his lower left forearm. He reported feeling great and he expects to make his scheduled start Thursday night against the White Sox. ... Highly touted outfield prospect Desmond Jennings went 2-for-3 Saturday night, moving his average to .328. ... Matt Joyce hit his 11th homer of the season for Triple-A Durham Saturday night as the Bulls defeated Louisville, 3-2, in 16 innings. ... Left-hander Brian Shouse (left elbow strain) was slated to make his second rehab appearance for Class A Charlotte on Sunday; he worked a scoreless frame (12 pitches) on Thursday. ... Catcher Shawn Riggans (right shoulder tendinitis) was slated to catch for Charlotte on Sunday. Tickets
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• Tuesday: Rays (Jeff Niemann, 8-4, 3.73) at White Sox (Clayton Richard, 3-3, 5.42), 8:11 p.m. ET
• Wednesday: Rays (James Shields, 6-6, 3.75) at White Sox (John Danks, 8-6, 3.98), 8:11 p.m. ET
• Thursday: Rays (Scott Kazmir, 4-5, 6.62) at White Sox (Mark Buehrle, 10-3, 3.52), 2:05 p.m. ET
Bill Chastain is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
