Price tops 200 innings, 200 strikeouts
Tampa Bay Rays left-hander David Price had a rough second and third inning Tuesday.
When catcher Jose Molina suggested they change their game plan, getting away from his cutter and going more to his changeup and curveball, Price went along.
It worked out pretty well, as he ended up with a complete game for his 19th win, passing the twin milestones of 200 innings and 200 strikeouts along the way.
Price pitched the Rays to a 5-2 win over the Boston Red Sox, keeping Tampa Bay within three games of the Oakland A's for the second AL wild-card spot.
"He just repackaged what he was doing," manager Joe Maddon said of Price.
Price (19-5) said the new approach worked well, and it showed as he allowed only one hit the rest of the way and struck out a season-high 13. In all, he permitted seven hits and no walks.
"The win is first and foremost," Price said, "but 200 innings and 200 strikeouts are pretty special. I'll definitely take all those."
Price and James Shields became the seventh set of teammates in major league history to have back-to-back seasons of 200 strikeouts.
