News
Price excited to pitch in the spotlight
Tampa Bay (72-60) vs. Boston (77-55), 7:08 p.m. ET
By Zach Schonbrun / MLB.com
09/03/09 1:15 AM ET
ST. PETERSBURG -- It's as if the patchy, up-and-down rookie season for David Price has been building for a game like this. He's been waiting for a chance to rekindle the fire that made him a postseason sensation last October.That opportunity may be Thursday, with the Rays against the ropes once again, in need of a win in the rubber match of this three-game series with Boston to keep their hopes alive in the American League Wild Card standings.
And though Price has been often erratic and inconsistent through his 17 starts this season, Rays manager Joe Maddon has no hesitancy in having Price pitch under pressure.
"David likes it," Maddon said. "And he's coming off a pretty good game on the road, too."
That road game was the first win away from Tropicana Field in Price's career, and it, too, came at a crucial time for the Rays. After an emotional loss the night before -- following the news the team had traded starter Scott Kazmir to Los Angeles -- Price responded with a sensational performance, hurling the road monkey off his back to toss a career-high 7 1/3 innings and allow one run for the win. "I felt good, it was big for us to get that win," Price said. "It was big for me and big for the team. It was a good hump to get over." It was also a clutch performance from a rookie who has already had his share of moments in the spotlight. And Thursday's matchup against Boston will have a similar feel to it. Price said he didn't feel like his road record was an obstacle. But earning that first victory away from home, Maddon says, was another mental hurdle that Price finally cleared -- perhaps the last hurdle for a young pitcher already with postseason and World Series experience. "Anytime you do something for the first time and you know that you can be successful, it can carry over," Maddon said. "He's just been a lot better in general, just a lot more strikes with the fastball, better feel for his changeup, slider's gotten better." Price will be facing Boston for the second time this season, and after playing such a large role in last season's American League Championship Series win over the Red Sox, he considers them his first legitimate rival. On Thursday, with the stakes up for a big performance once again, Price will be at home pitching at Tropicana Field where he's most comfortable (and 6-2 with a 2.96 ERA this year). A big game, at home, against his personal rival? Price wouldn't have it any other way. "That's what you want," Price said. "You want the ball at the biggest games of the year. That's what I want, for sure. I don't put pressure on myself. This is what I've done my entire life. Pitching matchupTB: LHP David Price (7-6, 4.63 ERA)
Price gave the Rays a quality start and then some on Saturday in Detroit, allowing one earned run in 7 1/3 innings to pick up his seventh win of the season. Price has live stuff in most of his outings. Fastball command has been his biggest improvement over the course of the past month. As a result, the left-hander has been getting ahead in the count more often and walking fewer hitters. Price is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in one career start against the Red Sox; he is 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA in 10 career appearances (nine starts) at Tropicana Field. BOS: RHP Clay Buchholz (3-3, 4.38 ERA)
The wiry right-hander is coming off one of the best starts of his career, a 3-2 win over the Blue Jays. Buchholz went 8 1/3 innings, giving up three hits and one run, walking two and striking out nine. This will be Buchholz's second career start at Tropicana Field. Last year, he pitched a complete-game loss here, giving up three hits and two runs over eight innings. Buchholz has made four indoor starts in his career, going 1-3 with a 5.09 ERA. Tidbits
Maddon said he plans to keep Carlos Pena in the cleanup spot for the time being, but shuffle Pat Burrell and Evan Longoria between the No. 5 and No. 6 holes. "I'm just trying to find the right mix among those three guys," Maddon said. "Carlos, I'm going to stick with him in the four-hole and then just move Pat and Longo back and forth accordingly." ... Rays senior advisor Don Zimmer underwent successful surgery for decompression of a nerve in his lower back on Wednesday. He's expected to make a full recovery in 6-8 weeks. ... Rays injured right-hander Jason Isringhausen was in the clubhouse before Wednesday's game, bearing a large cast on his right arm. Isringhausen underwent Tommy John surgery on June 23 and has not pitched since June 15. Tickets
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• Friday: Rays (Jeff Niemann, 12-5, 3.80) vs. Tigers (Justin Verlander, 15-7, 3.38), 7:38 p.m. ET
• Saturday: Rays (James Shields, 9-10, 3.86) vs. Tigers (Jarrod Washburn, 9-8, 3.55), 7:08 p.m. ET
• Sunday: Rays (Andy Sonnanstine, 6-8, 6.62) vs. Tigers (Edwin Jackson, 11-6, 3.09), 1:38 p.m. ET
Zach Schonbrun is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
