David Taylor Price…born Aug. 26, 1985 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.…he and his wife, Tiffany, have two children, Xavier and Zoe Isabel...in April 2013, Price and his French bulldog, Astro, were awarded a key to the city by Tampa Bay’s mayor…majored in sociology at Vanderbilt University…went 11-1 with a 2.63 ERA and collected a school record 194 strikeouts in his junior season…guided the Commodores to their first SEC regular season and tournament championships…won the 2007 Golden Spikes Award and Dick Howser Award…honored as Baseball America’s College Player of the Year and was the Roger Clemens Award recipient for the nation’s top pitcher…named the 2008 SEC Player of the Year and Male Athlete of the Year…won gold with the USA Baseball National Team in Cuba in 2006 and was named a top prospect on Team USA…selected to participate in the 2004 High School All-America game…attended Blackman (TN) High School, where he was a two-time Rutherford County MVP Pitcher and named Male Athlete of the Year in 2002, ’03 and ’04…two-time nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award while with Tampa Bay in 2012-13…has participated in various philanthropic efforts, highlighted by his foundation, Project One Four, which supports youth programs that equip children with life skills and opportunities all within a positive environment…drafted first overall in the 2007 First-Year Player Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays and signed by Brad Matthews.
2021
Garnered a 5-2 overall record across 39 games (11 starts) with a 4.03 ERA (33 ER/73.2 IP)…struck out 58 batters against just 26 walks... Made 11 starts throughout the year, going 0-2 with a 3.92 ERA (18 ER/41.1 IP) and 34 strikeouts against just 11 walks…kept hitters to a .234/.288/.392 slashline... Struck out his 2,000th career batter May 27 against the San Francisco Giants…sat down Curt Casali on two sinkers and a changeup... Tossed 5.2 innings July 23, his longest outing since his start two years earlier on July 24, 2019, where he hurled 6.0 innings against Tampa Bay as a member of the Boston Red Sox... Recorded his first career save on April 15 against Colorado, striking out two... Was sidelined with a right hamstring injury from April 26 to May 17... Allowed just eight home runs over 326 batters faced…limited the opposition to an overall .272/.339/.428 slash line… struck out five batters over 2.2 innings on May 27 against the Giants…recorded ten hitless appearances… performed four times on zero days rest, going 2-0 with four strikeouts.
2020
Opted out of season due to health concerns surrounding Covid-19…announced decision on July 4...Acquired by the Dodgers on Feb. 10, 2020 in a trade with outfielder Mookie Betts and cash from Boston in exchange for outfielder Alex Verdugo, minor league infielder Jeter Downs and minor league catcher Connor Wong.
2019
Went 7-5 with a 4.28 ERA (51 ER/107.1 IP) across 22 starts with 128 strikeouts ... Notched 150 career wins, 300 starts, 2000.0 innings and 10 years of service time…wrapped the season just 19 strikeouts away from 2,000 Ks ... Despite accruing a 6.91 ERA (33 ER/43.0 IP) in 10 starts on four day's rest, tallied a 2.78 ERA (18 ER/58.1 IP) in 11 starts on five or more day's rest ... Owned a 3.46 ERA (16 ER/41.2 IP) across eight home starts…placed on the injured list from May 3-19 with left elbow tendinitis and Aug. 5-13 with a left wrist injury…made his last start on Sept. 1 and wrapped the season sidelined with a cyst on his left wrist…posted a 4-1 record and 1.88 ERA (10 ER/48.0 IP) from April 14 to June 8, allowed just four homers and notched 56 strikeouts against 11 walks during the span…spun seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts on April 14 vs. Baltimore…did not allow an earned run in three consecutive starts from May 20-28…posted a 3-0 record and 1.13 (3 ER/24.0 IP) from May 20 to June 8…made his 300th career start on June 8 vs. Tampa Bay and earned the win in a 10-strikeout performance across six innings of work…surpassed 2000.0 career innings on July 2 at Toronto and earned his 150th career win three days later…placed on paternity leave on Aug. 2…on Sept. 26, underwent left wrist arthroscopy performed by Dr. Matthew Liebman at Newton Wellesley Hospital.
2018
In his 3rd season with BOS, went 16-7 with a 3.58 ERA (70 ER/176.0 IP) in 30 starts ... Held a 5.11 ERA through his first 7 starts ... Went 14-3 with a 3.17 ERA (49 ER/139.0 IP) over his final 23 ... The Red Sox went 22-8 in his starts, including 19-4 from 5/12 through the remainder of the season ... Improved to 39-19 with a 3.74 ERA as a member of the Red Sox (81 G, 76 GS, 480.2 IP, 200 ER) ... Made 30+ starts for the 7th time in his career ... Ranked among AL leaders in wins (T-7th, 16), WHIP (8th, 1.14), ERA (11th, 3.58), opponent AVG (11th, .230), opponent OPS (12th, .691), SO/BB ratio (13th, 3.54), and BB/9.0 IP (13th, 2.56) ... Led the Red Sox with 18 quality starts ... Allowed 2 ER or fewer in 18 of his starts, including either 1 or 0 ER in 11 of them ... Made 6 scoreless starts of 6.0+ IP, tied for 3rd-most in the AL (Verlander-9, Kluber-8, Sale-6, Eovaldi-6, Bauer-6) ... Won a season-high 6 consecutive decisions from 5/12-6/14 and 7/12-9/12 ... Went 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA (17 ER/68.0 IP) in 11 starts after the All-Star Break ... Among AL pitchers with 50.0+ IP after the break, ranked 2nd in ERA and opponent OPS (.586), 3rd in WHIP (0.97), and 4th in opponent AVG (.200) ... Over 16 home starts, was 9-2 with a 2.98 ERA (32 ER/96.2 IP) and a .213 opponent AVG (75-for-352) ... Won a career-long 9 consecutive home decisions from 5/17-9/26 ... Surrendered 3 runs or fewer in 13 consecutive home starts from 5/17-9/26, the longest streak by a Red Sox since Pedro Martinez in 2000-01 (18) and the longest by a Sox lefty since Babe Ruth in 1916 (16) ... Made his season debut on 3/30 at TB and needed only 76 pitches to get through 7.0 scoreless IP (4 H, 5 SO) ... It marked the fewest pitches thrown by a Red Sox starter in a scoreless outing of 7.0+ IP since Tim Wakefield in 1997 (4/14 vs OAK, 7.0 IP, 76 pitches) ... Also tossed 7.0 scoreless IP in his 2nd start on 4/5 vs. TB (3 H, 3 BB, 5 SO), throwing just 91 pitches ... Became the 1st ML pitcher in the last 100 seasons to begin a season with consecutive scoreless starts of 7.0+ IP with 95 pitches or fewer in each ... KC's Jakob Junis later joined Price (also 2, 4/3-9) ... Became the 1st Red Sox pitcher to begin a season with consecutive scoreless starts of 7.0+ IP since Mel Parnell did so in April 1949 (also 2) ... Was the 1st Red Sox pitcher (as a member of the Opening Day rotation) with 2 consecutive scoreless starts to begin a season since Bret Saberhagen in 1999 ... His first 2 starts extended his scoreless-innings streak to 29.1 since returning from the DL on 9/14/17 ... Would snap that streak in the 1st inning on 4/11 vs. NYY ... His 14.0-inning scoreless streak to begin 2018 marked his longest to start any season ... On 4/22, held OAK to 1 run over 7.2 IP prior to giving up a 3-run HR to Khris Davis, his last batter faced ... Allowed 3 runs or fewer in each of his 9 starts from 5/12-6/26 (7-1, 2.72 ERA, 17 ER/56.1 IP) ... Was his longest such streak with BOS, and longest since a 10-start stretch in 2015 with TOR (8/3-9/21) ... Later allowed 3 runs or fewer in 10 straight starts from 7/12-9/12 ... Came within 1 strike of his 4th career shutout on 5/17 vs. BAL before allowing a 2-run HR to Manny Machado ... Struck out 8 with 0 BB and gave up 5 hits over 9.0 IP ... Did not allow a runner to reach scoring position until a leadoff 2B in the 9th (Andrew Susac) ... Threw 95 pitches on 5/17, the fewest in a Red Sox complete game since Rick Porcello on 9/19/16 at BAL (89) and fewest in a 9.0-inning complete game by a Red Sox at Fenway since Josh Beckett on 7/12/09 vs. KC (94) ... Started a career-high-tying 9 consecutive team wins from 7/7-8/29 (2.43 ERA, 15 ER/55.2 IP) ... Allowed 3 runs or fewer in 10 consecutive starts from 7/12-9/12, tied for the 2nd-longest streak of his career ... Allowed 2 runs or fewer over 6.0+ IP in a career-high-tying 6 consecutive starts from 7/20-8/23 (also 8/17-9/12/16 with BOS) ... Threw 6.1 scoreless innings on 7/20 at DET, his 1st start after the All-Star break ... Held PHI to 1 run over 8.0 IP on 7/30 at Fenway Park (8 H, BB, 5 SO) ... Was his longest outing with 1 or 0 R since 7/16/17 vs. NYY-G2 (8.0 IP) ... Allowed 2 runs over 6.0 IP on 8/5 vs. NYY, a Sunday night contest in which the Red Sox walked off with a 5-4 win ... Did not surrender a run through 6.0 full frames before allowing 2 baserunners in the 7th (both scored) ... Struck out a season-high 10 Orioles over 6.0 scoreless IP on 8/11 at BAL ... Was his 1st start with 10+ SO since 7/10/16 vs. TB (10 SO, 8.0 IP), and his 1st with 10+ SO and 0 BB since 6/14/16 vs. BAL (11 SO, 8.0 IP) ... Hurled 8.0 scoreless IP on 8/23 vs. CLE (3 H, 7 SO), earning his 5th consecutive win ... Was his longest scoreless start since 7/16/17 vs. NYY-G2 (8.0 IP) ... Left after 3.0 IP on 8/29 vs. MIA after being struck in the left wrist by a batted ball ... Held HOU scoreless through 6.0 IP on 9/7 at Fenway Park before allowing 2 baserunners in the 7th (6.1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB) ... Struck out a season-high-tying 10 batters ... Limited the Blue Jays to 3 baserunners, all singles, and struck out 7 over 7.0 scoreless IP on 9/12 at Fenway Park ... Did not allow a baserunner until the 5th inning ... POSTSEASON: Went 3-1 with a 3.46 ERA (10 ER/26.0 IP) and a .194 opponent AVG in 6 playoff games (5 starts) ... Won the deciding game of the ALCS (Game 5 at HOU) and of the World Series (Game 5 at LAD) ... Defeated Justin Verlander in the ALCS clincher and Clayton Kershaw in the World Series clincher ... Became the 1st pitcher to beat former Cy Young Award winners in the finale of an LCS and World Series in the same year (source: Elias) ... Elias notes that Price became the 5th pitcher to start and win the decisive game of both the LCS and World Series, joining Andy Pettitte (2009 NYY), Derek Lowe (2004 BOS), Orel Hershiser (1988 LAD), and Joaquin Andujar (1982 STL) ... Allowed 7 ER in 6.1 IP over his first 2 playoff games, but only 3 ER in 19.2 IP (1.37 ERA) in his remaining 4 ... Won Game 5 of the ALCS, allowing only 3 hits in 6.0 scoreless innings with 9 SO and 0 BB ... Became the 1st Red Sox pitcher to throw 6.0+ scoreless innings with 0 BB and 3 or fewer hits allowed in a postseason game ... Became the 3rd pitcher ever to throw 6.0+ scoreless innings with 0 BB, 9+ SO, and 3 or fewer hits allowed in a postseason game, joining Cliff Lee (2009 NLCS-G3) and Roger Clemens (2000 WS-G2) ... Won Game 2 of the World Series at Fenway Park (6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 5 SO) ... Became the 1st pitcher in Sox history to make consecutive postseason starts in which he threw 6.0+ innings with 5+ SO and 3 or fewer hits allowed (he added to that streak in his next start) ... In the Sox' 3-2, 18-inning loss at LAD in Game 3, started the bottom of the 9th inning and recorded 2 outs ... Won Game 5 of the Fall Classic by allowing 1 run and 3 hits in 7.0 IP ... Became the 11th pitcher ever in a World Series clinching victory to throw 7.0+ innings and give up 3 or fewer hits and 1 or 0 runs, the 1st to do so since Tim Lincecum in 2010 (Game 5 at TEX) ... Became the 1st pitcher in Red Sox history to make 3 consecutive postseason starts in which he threw 6.0+ innings and allowed 3 or fewer hits.
2017
Missed a majority of his 2nd season with BOS due to a pair of DL stints...Went 5-3 with a 3.82 ERA (28 ER/66.0 IP) in 11 starts, and 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA (8.2 IP) in 5 relief appearances...Including the postseason, allowed 0 runs and only 8 hits in 15.1 IP in 7 relief appearances (19 SO, 4 BB). Began the season on the 10-day DL with a left elbow strain...Made 2 rehab starts with Triple-A Pawtucket on 5/19 and 5/24 (6 ER/5.2 IP). Activated from the DL on 5/29 and started that day at CWS (ND, 5.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 4 SO, 2 HBP). Limited opponents to a .200 AVG (17-for-85) in his first 4 starts from 5/29-6/13...On 6/3 at BAL, allowed 1 run on 3 hits over 7.0 IP and earned the win in his 250th career start. Allowed 0 HR in 5 consecutive starts from 6/24-7/16, tied for the longest such streak of his career (8th time). Made 5 consecutive quality starts from 6/24-7/16 (3-1, 1.91 ERA, 7 ER/33.0 IP, 34 SO, 5 BB). Tossed 13.0 consecutive scoreless frames spanning 3 starts from 7/9-22...Held NYY scoreless over 8.0 IP on 7/16 in the 2nd game of a doubleheader at Fenway... Marked his longest scoreless outing with 0 BB since a shutout on 6/12/15 with DET vs. CLE. Allowed 5 ER in 5.0 IP in his start on 7/22 at LAA and was placed on the 10-day DL on 7/28 (retro to 7/25) with left elbow inflammation. Activated from the DL on 9/14 and spent the remainder of the season in the bullpen. Did not allow a run in 8.2 IP over 5 appearances (.100 opponent AVG, 3-for-30, 13 SO)....All 3 hits came on 9/22 at CIN (3 singles). Did not allow a hit in 2.0 scoreless IP on 9/17 at TB, his 1st appearance since being activated from the DL. Earned his 1st career relief win after tossing 2.2 scoreless frames on 9/22 at CIN (3 H, BB, 4 SO). Stranded 2 inherited runners to preserve a lead in the Sox' AL East title-clinching win over HOU on 9/30. POSTSEASON: Made 2 relief appearances during the ALDS vs. HOU (Game 2 at Minute Maid Park and Game 3 at Fenway Park)...Combined to toss 6.2 scoreless frames in those outings (5 H, 6 SO, 2 BB)...Tossed 4.0 scoreless innings in Game 3 at Fenway Park...Became the 4th Red Sox pitcher in postseason history with 4.0+ scoreless relief IP, and the 1st since Pedro Martinez's 6.0 no-hit IP in Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS at CLE...Martinez's was the only other such outing by a Red Sox in a postseason elimination game.
2016
Led the majors in innings pitched (230.0) in his debut season with the Red Sox...Went 17-9 with a 3.99 ERA and led the club in starts (35), innings, and strikeouts (228). Became the 1st Red Sox to lead the majors in innings pitched since Roger Clemens in 1991 (271.1). Ranked 4th in the AL and 7th in the majors with 228 SO, the most ever by a Red Sox LHP in a single season and the most by any Red Sox since Pedro Martinez in 2002 (239). His 17 wins ranked T-4th in the AL and T-8th in the majors. Was the only major leaguer to make 35 starts, marking a new career high...It was the most in a single season by any ML pitcher since Chris Carpenter and Dan Haren in 2010 (35 each) and the most by a Red Sox pitcher since Frank Viola in 1992 (35). Ranked 5th in the AL and 9th in MLB with a 4.56 SO/BB ratio. Posted a 6.75 ERA (31 ER/41.1 IP) in his first 7 starts, but had a 3.39 ERA (71 ER/188.2 IP) in 28 starts from 5/12 through the end of the season. The Red Sox won 9 of his final 11 regular season starts, including 9 straight from 8/12-9/22, the longest streak of his career for any team. His .314 opponent AVG on balls in play (BABIP) was the highest of his career and the 8th-highest among qualifying AL pitchers (15th-highest in MLB). Ranked 2nd in MLB with 10 starts of 8.0+ IP (Sale-13), the most by a Red Sox pitcher since Pedro Martinez's 11 in 2002, and the most by a Red Sox LHP since Frank Viola in 1992 (14). Ranked 2nd in the AL with 7 double-digit strikeout games (Verlander-8)...The only other Red Sox with as many double-digit SO efforts in a season are Pedro Martinez (5 times), Roger Clemens (5), Jon Lester (1), and Jim Lonborg (1). Made 6 Interleague starts, more than any other Red Sox starter in a single season since Interleague play began in 1997...Went 4-2 with a 3.14 ERA (15 ER/43.0 IP, 46 SO, 11 BB) in those outings...Tied a Red Sox record with 4 Interleague wins (also Derek Lowe in 2003, Matt Clement in 2005, and Josh Beckett in 2006). Made his Red Sox debut with his 4th consecutive Opening Day start on 4/5 at CLE, the 5th of his career...According to Elias, joined Kevin Brown (1997-99) and Jack Morris (1990-92) as the only pitchers in ML history to start 3 consecutive openers for 3 different teams...Also joined David Wells (2005) and Pedro Martinez (1998) as the only Red Sox to make their team debuts as the Opening Day starter since 1978. Became the 1st pitcher in ML history to win 3 consecutive Opening Day starts for 3 different teams, and the only pitcher in the majors to win on Opening Day in 2014, 2015, and 2016. Became the 1st LHP in Sox history to record 10+ SO in his team debut, and the first to do so on Opening Day... Joined Pedro Martinez (1998 and 2000) as the only AL starters with 10+ SO and 0 XBH allowed in an Opening Day outing since 1971. Struck out 8 on 4/11 vs. BAL and 9 on 4/16 vs. TOR...Joined Pedro Martinez as the only Red Sox in the last 100 years to strike out 8+ hitters in each of their first 3 games with the club. Tied a career high with 14 SO in 8.0 IP on 4/26 at ATL, the highest single-game total by a Red Sox pitcher in 2016. Led MLB with 46 SO in April, his most through the first 5 outings of any season...His 13.96 SO/9.0 IP ratio in April was the highest by any Red Sox pitcher (min. 20.0 IP) before May 1 since 1913 (previous: Pedro Martinez, 13.89 in 2001)...It was also the highest mark by any AL pitcher through April in the live ball era (min. 20.0 IP). Won his career-best 9th consecutive decision on 5/1 vs. NYY (4-0 in 2016)...Became the 1st BOS pitcher to earn the win in his first 4 decisions with the club, all as a starter, since Jon Lester in 2006. Made 8 straight quality starts from 5/12-6/19 (2.47 ERA, 16 ER/58.1 IP, .204 opponent AVG, 0.94 WHIP). Did not allow a HR to a left-handed batter in any of his first 9 starts (6-for-34, 3 1B, 3 2B). Passed 1,500.0 career innings pitched on 5/24 vs. COL. Lost 3 consecutive quality starts from 6/3-14, the longest such streak by a Red Sox since Pedro Martinez in 1999. Threw his 1st complete game with BOS and 15th of his career on 6/8 at SF (L, 8.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER). Was dealt the loss on 6/14 vs. BAL, despite striking out 11 and walking none over 8.0 IP (3 ER)...Was the 1st Red Sox starter with 10+ SO and 0 BB in a loss since Pedro Martinez on 8/19/99 vs. OAK. Recorded his 1,500th career strikeout on 7/5 vs. TEX...Also in that game, surrendered a stolen base to Ian Desmond, snapping a streak of 49 starts without a SB allowed (began 4/6/15)...The only ML pitchers with longer streaks since 1913 are Terry Mulholland (62, 5/2/93- 9/9/95) and Whitey Ford (62, 4/18/58-5/13/60; 61, 7/28/60-5/18/62). On 7/10 vs. TB, struck out 10 batters for the 3rd straight game over 8.0 scoreless innings...According to Elias, became just the 3rd Red Sox starter with 3 consecutive outings with 10+ SO and 1 or 0 BB (also Rich Hill in 2015 and Pedro Martinez in 1999). Led the AL with 140 SO at the All-Star break, the most by a LHP in the 1st half in Red Sox history...Joined Pedro Martinez (3 times) and Roger Clemens (once) as the only Red Sox with as many as 7 double-digit strikeout performances prior to the All-Star break. On 7/28 at LAA, threw 8.0 shutout innings before the Angels plated 2 unearned runs off Brad Ziegler in the 9th for a 2-1 walk-off win...Became the 1st Sox pitcher with 8.0 shutout frames in a team loss since Matt Young did so in a 1-0 loss to CLE on 4/15/91 at Fenway (9.0, 2 H, 0 R). From 8/12-9/12, earned the win in 7 consecutive starts, a career-long streak and the 2nd-longest in the AL in 2016 (Sale-9)...Posted a 2.16 ERA (12 ER/50.0 IP), a .184 opponent AVG, and a 0.82 WHIP in those starts. Was credited with his 2nd complete game of the season and 16th of his career in a rain-shortened win on 8/17 at BAL, allowing 1 run on 4 hits over 6.0 innings. Went 23.0 IP without walking a batter from 9/2-22 (25 SO)...Became the 1st Red Sox pitcher since at least 1913 to make 3 consecutive starts with 7+ SO and 0 BB: 9/7 at SD, 9/12 vs. BAL, and 9/17 vs. NYY. Struck out 7+ batters in 6 consecutive starts from 8/22-9/17, tying Jon Lester (4/17-5/16/14) for the longest such streak by a left-handed Sox pitcher since 1913. Recorded his 200th strikeout of the season on 9/7 at SD...Became just the 2nd Red Sox LHP ever with 200+ SO in a single season (also Jon Lester, 2009 & '10). Won his 8th straight decision on 9/22 at BAL, tying the 2nd-longest streak of his career. POSTSEASON: Started Game 2 of the ALDS at CLE and was dealt the loss (3.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER)....According to Elias, became the 1st player to pitch in the postseason in 4 consecutive years with 4 different teams (2013-TB, 2014-DET, 2015-TOR, 2016-BOS)...Elias notes that Price became only the 4th player, regardless of position, to play in 4 consecutive postseasons for 4 different teams (also Kenny Lofton, Orlando Cabrera, and Eric Hinske).
2015
Led the AL with a 2.45 ERA (60 ER/220.1 IP) in 32 starts between the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays...Helped TOR to its 1st postseason berth since 1993. Named an All-Star via the player ballot...Finished 2nd in AL Cy Young Award voting. Placed among AL leaders in innings (3rd), quality starts (T-3rd, 24), strikeouts (4th, 225), and starts (T-7th, 32)...Worth an AL-best 6.4 WAR according to Fangraphs, 3rd among ML pitchers behind Clayton Kershaw (8.6) and Jake Arrieta (7.3). Limited opponents to a .230 AVG, .271 OBP, and .350 SLG, posting the 4th-best opponent OPS in the AL (.621). Recorded the 6th-best walk rate (1.9 BB/9.0 IP) and 6th-best strikeout rate (9.2 SO/9.0 IP) in the AL, and had the 4th-highest strikeout-to-walk ratio (4.8). Allowed 2 ER or fewer in 23 of his 32 starts (72%), including 8 of 11 after being acquired by TOR on 7/30 in exchange for LHPs Matt Boyd, Daniel Norris, and Jairo Labourt. Did not allow a stolen base throughout the regular season. Pitched 8.2 scoreless innings for the win as DET's Opening Day starter on 4/6 vs. MIN. Reached double digits in strikeouts 4 times, recording a season-high 12 SO on 5/21 vs. HOU and 7/18 vs. BAL. Threw 3 complete games, including a 93-pitch complete-game shutout on 6/12 vs. CLE. Earned the win for the AL in the All-Star Game on 7/14 in CIN, recording 2 SO (eventual NL MVP Bryce Harper and runner-up Paul Goldschmidt) in a perfect 4th inning. Became just the 4th pitcher since 1893 to win at least 9 games and post a winning record for 2 different teams in a single season...Joined Hank Borowy (1945 Cubs and Yankees), David Cone (1995 Blue Jays and Yankees), and Bartolo Colon (2002 Indians and Expos). Won 9 of his 11 regular season starts with the Jays, posting an AL-best 2.30 ERA (19 ER/74.1 IP) from 7/30 on (min. 5 GS). Fanned 11 while allowing 1 run in 8.0 IP on 8/3 vs. MIN in his Blue Jays debut. Defeated the Orioles for his 100th career win on 9/5 vs. BAL...Won his last 5 regular season starts, all in September (5-0, 2.32, 8 ER/31.0 IP, 37 SO).
2014
Opened the 2014 season in the Tampa Bay rays organization before being acquired by the Tigers in exchange for Willy Adames, Austin Jackson and Drew Smyly on July 31...Led the American League with 248.1 innings pitched and 271 strikeouts, while he was tied for second with three complete games, third with 1.38 walks per nine innings, fourth with 9.82 strikeouts per nine innings, and tied for fifth with 24 quality starts...Rated as possessing the best control in the American League following the season by Baseball America...Selected to the American League All-star squad for the fourth time in his career...Tied for first in the American League with 11 games with 10-or-more strikeouts...Fanned a season-high 12 batters on April 22 versus Minnesota -- equaled the high on May 13 at Seattle and June 20 versus Houston...Tossed 100-or-more pitches in 23 straight starts from April 22-August 21 -- the longest streak in the American League in 2014 and the seventh-longest such streak since 2000...Compiled a 1-2 record, a 3.80 ERA (42.2IP/18er) and 43 strikeouts in six starts during May...Registered a quality start in 13 straight outings from May 30-August 5 -- compiled a 7-4 record, a 2.12 ERA (102.0IP/24er) and 115 strikeouts during that stretch...Fanned at least nine batters in six consecutive outings from June 4-July 1...Compiled a season-high six-game winning streak June 25-July 25 -- posted a 1.31 ERA (48.0IP/7er) and 50 strikeouts during the six-start stretch...Posted a 2-3 record, a 2.27 ERA (39.2IP/10er) and 54 strikeouts in five starts during June -- tied for second in the American League with 54 strikeouts during the month, while he was seventh with a 2.27 ERA...Led the American League with 45 strikeouts, while he was tied for first with five wins and eighth with a 1.74 ERA (46.2IP/9er) in six starts during July...Earned his first win with the Tigers after allowing one run on three hits on August 16 versus Seattle...Compiled a 3-2 record, a 3.00 ERA (45.0IP/15er) and 47 strikeouts in six starts during September -- ranked third in the American League with 47 strikeouts during the month...Lefthanded batters hit .258 (63x244) against Price...limited righthanded batters to a .234 (167x715) batting average...Compiled a 9-7 record, a 3.23 erA (147.2IP/53er) and 164 strikeouts in 20 starts prior to the All-star break...posted a 6-5 record, a 3.31 ERA (100.2IP/37er) and 107 strikeouts in 14 starts following the break...Started one game for the Tigers during the American League Division series -- allowed two runs on five hits while striking out six over 8.0 innings of work to suffer the loss.
2013
Followed his 2012 AL Cy Young campaign by going 10-8 with a 3.33 ERA (186.2-IP, 69-ER) in 27 starts…tied CWS Chris Sale for the AL lead with 4 complete games…missed 44 games (May 16-July 1) with a triceps strain he suffered on May 15 vs. BOS, his first career trip to the DL…in 18 starts after his return, went 9-4 with a 2.53 ERA (131.2-IP, 113-H, 37-ER, 13-BB, 102-SO, 8-HR) and all 4 of his complete games…in 9 starts prior to his injury, was 1-4 with a 5.24 ERA (55-IP, 65-H, 32-ER). After his July 2 return from the DL, led the majors with 131.2 IP and in several other categories…in fact, he threw 15.2 more innings than any other pitcher (STL Adam Wainwright)... For the year, led the AL with a 5.59 strikeout-to-walk ratio (151-SO, 27-BB), 4th in the majors to PHI Cliff Lee (6.94), STL Adam Wainwright (6.26) and NYM Matt Harvey (6.16)…this ranked 4th all-time among AL lefties after SEA/TEX Cliff Lee in 2010 (10.28), CLE CC Sabathia in 2007 (5.65) and NYY David Wells in 1998 (5.62)... Allowed only 27 BB in 186.2 IP…his 1.30 BB/9 IP led the AL and set a club record (prev. 1.51 by James Shields in 2007)…after his return from the DL, only walked 13 batters in 131.2 IP (0.89 BB/9 IP)…twice set club records in 2013 with streaks of 27 innings (July 2-19) and 35.1 (July 19-Aug 9) without a walk…had 10 starts with no walks, most by a Rays starter in a single season (prev. Shields with 9 in 2007 and 2008)... Owns a career 22-3 record in AL East road ballparks with a 3.16 ERA (236.1-IP, 83-ER) in 37 games, 36 starts…in 2013, went 5-0 in 7 starts in AL East road parks…his 39-14 (.736) lifetime record vs. the AL East currently ranks 1st since divisional play began in 1969 (min. 25 wins)…his career 2.96 ERA (483-IP, 159-ER) vs. the AL East ranks 2nd all-time (min. 30 starts) after Jim Palmer (2.75)... His career road record of 41-18 (.695) is tops among all active pitchers (min. 50 decisions) and ranks 3rd in the majors since 1921…is 33-10 (.767) on the road since July 24, 2010…in 2013 went 8-3 with a 3.11 ERA on the road, compared to 2-5, 3.61 at home... Allowed only 2 HR over his final 12 starts (83.1 IP) over August-September... Pitched 8 or more innings more times (eight) than he did during his 2012 Cy Young season (five)…pitched at least 7 innings in 14 of his 18 starts after returning from the DL... Held left-handed hitters to a .189 avg. (31-for-164)…during his career has held lefties to a .198 avg., 3rd best among active starting pitchers (min. 500 AB) behind Clayton Kershaw (.186) and C.J. Wilson (.196)... Received 4.15 R/9 IP (186.2-IP, 86-RS) in run support, 8th lowest in the AL…received 5.37 R/9 IP in 2012 when he went 20-5... Went 5-1 with a 1.68 ERA (48.1-IP, 9-ER) in July with 35 SO and only 1 BB…his 5 wins set a club record for July and tied the club record for any month…was one of three Rays to receive votes for AL Pitcher of the Month in July, along with winner Chris Archer and Matt Moore... During his time on the DL (May 16-July 1), the Rays went 24-20 (.545) while the starters went 17-13 with a 4.49 ERA…after his return, the Rays went 48-32 (.600), while the starters were 33-22 with a 3.30 ERA... Threw three 9-inning complete games on fewer than 100 pitches, tying ATL Greg Maddux (2000), MIN Brad Radke (2001) and OAK Mark Mulder (2003) for most in one season since complete pitch count data is available (1999)…these 3 games came in his first 4 starts back from the DL (July 7 vs. CWS, July 12 vs. HOU, July 24 at BOS)…prior to Price's stretch, the Rays had only five such games in their 16-year history... On July 7 vs. CWS (3-1 win) and July 12 vs. HOU (2-1 loss), became the first pitcher to throw back-to-back 9-inning CGs on less than 100 pitches since TOR Roy Halladay in May 2006…his 87 pitches on July 12 were the fewest ever for a Rays 9-inning complete game... On July 24 and July 29 at BOS, became the first starter in 72 years to beat the Sox at Fenway Park twice within a span of five days…the last to do it was Rip Collins for the St. Louis Browns in 1931... The Rays lost his first 5 starts, only the second time a team lost the first 5 starts of the season by a reigning Cy Young winner…the Twins lost Frank Viola's first 7 starts in 1989 while Viola went 0-5…Price was the first reigning Cy Young winner to go on the DL since CWS Jake Peavy in 2008... On April 2 vs. BAL (6-IP, 2-R in 7-4 loss), made his second career Opening Day start (also 2011)…became the fourth pitcher to start multiple Opening Days for the Rays, joining Wilson Alvarez (1998-99), Scott Kazmir (2006-07) and James Shields (2008-10, 2012). Has faced CC Sabathia nine times since 2009, most frequent matchup of any two starters in baseball in that span…Price is 6-1 with a 2.68 ERA (59.2-IP, 16-ER) while the Rays are 8-1…Price won their only matchup in 2013, Aug 24 at home (4-2).
TIEBREAKER: In the Game 163 tiebreaker at Texas, tossed a complete game in the 5-2 win…allowed just 2 runs on 7 hits in his 9 IP (118 pitches)…became the fifth pitcher to record a CG win in a one-game tiebreaker, joining NYM Al Leiter in 1989 (5-0 over Reds), SEA Randy Johnson in 1995 (9-1 over Angels), HOU Joe Niekro in 1980 (7-1 over Dodgers) and CLE Gene Bearden in 1948 (8-3 over Red Sox)…Price entered the game 1-7 with a 5.57 ERA (63-IP, 39-ER) in 11 career starts vs. Texas, including postseason…it was the only complete game thrown against the Rangers all season.
POSTSEASON: Made his fourth trip to the postseason and started Game 2 of the ALDS at Boston, suffering a 7-4 loss (7-IP, 9-H, 7-ER, 2-BB, 5-SO, 2-HR)…allowed a run in 5 different innings for the first time in his career…David Ortiz became the first lefty hitter ever to hit 2 HR off Price in a game.
2012
Named the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner by the BBWAA...edged DET Justin Verlander 153-149 in the 7-4-3-2-1 scoring system...the four-point
differential was the closest of any election since BBWAA permitted voting for more than one pitcher in 1970. Price is the first No. 1 pick to win the Cy Young...only five pitchers have won the AL Cy Young and appeared in fewer career games than Price (125) at the time of their award: Barry Zito (2002, 84 career apps), Roger Clemens (1986, 69), Ron Guidry (1978, 83), Vida Blue (1971, 57) and Jim Lonborg (1967, 116)...For the second time in three years was named the Players Choice AL Outstanding Pitcher, voted on exclusively by the players...he also won
in 2010...In just his third full season, became the Rays first 20-game winner and the first Ray to lead the AL in wins (tied with LAA Jered Weaver) or ERA (club record 2.56)...ranked 2nd in the majors in ERA to LAD Clayton Kershaw (2.53)...became the first AL East pitcher since BOS Pedro Martinez in 2003 to lead the league in ERA...Reached 200 innings for the third straight year and 200 strikeouts for the 2nd straight year...According to a metric developed by SABR
President Vince Gennaro, Price had the most difficult "Quality of Opponents" of any starting
pitcher in the majors...taking his opponents in
all 31 of his starts into consideration, he faced
teams with the equivalent of a .742 OPS, compared
to the major league average of .724...Had 12 wins against teams who finished the season with a record of .500 or better, second in the majors to LAA Jered Weaver (13)...no other pitcher in baseball had more than nine such wins...Only four AL pitchers since 1980 have matched his numbers in wins (20), strikeouts (205) and
ERA (2.56): Roger Clemens (1986, 1990, 1997),
Pedro Martinez (1999, 2002), Justin Verlander
(2011) and Randy Johnson (1997)...only two AL
lefties have matched those totals in the last 40
years: Ron Guidry (1978) and Johnson (1997)....Turned 27 on Aug 26...in major league history only six other left-handed pitchers Price's age or younger have matched his combination of wins, strikeouts and ERA in a season-and only one other in the last 40 years: LAD Clayton Kershaw (2011), OAK Vida Blue (1971), CLE Herb Score (1956), DET Hal Newhouser (1945-46), NYG Rube Marquard (1911) and PHA Rube
Waddell (1902-03)...Since joining the rotation on May 29, 2009, his 61 wins are 4th most in the majors behind DET Justin Verlander (73), NYY CC Sabathia (70) and LAA Jered Weaver (63)...His .800 winning pct. (20-5) tied LAA Jered Weaver (also 20-5) for the AL lead and set a club record, breaking his own .760 mark (19-6)
in 2010...among all active pitchers with at least
100 starts, his career .663 winning pct. (61-
31) ranks 2nd to Roy Halladay (.666, 199-100)...
Rays are 77-43 (.642) in his 110 career starts...Made 16 starts vs. the AL East, tied for the major league lead, and went 10-2 with a 2.51 ERA...allowed a combined seven HR in 399 AB to the Yankees, Orioles, Blue Jays and Red Sox, who ranked first, second, sixth and tied for 14th in the majors in home runs, respectively.His 33-11 (.750) lifetime record vs. the AL East currently ranks first since divisional play began in 1969 (min. 25 wins), just ahead of NYY Andy Pettitte (86-38, .694)...has a 2.89 career ERA vs. the AL East...is 17-3 lifetime in 29 starts in AL East road parks...Won a major-league-high 13 games on the road, seven fewer than the Houston Astros...in the last 40 years, only three AL pitchers have won more road games in a season: BAL Jim Palmer (14 in 1973), BAL Scott McGregor (14 in 1983) and DET Justin Verlander (14 in 2011)...is 25-7 on the road since July 24, 2010...his career road mark of 33-18 (.688) is the best among active pitchers (min. 25 wins)...In his final 18 starts he went 12-1 with a 2.26 ERA (127.1-IP, 95-H, 32-ER, 29-BB, 127-SO)...after the All-Star break, he went 9-1 with an AL-best 2.27 ERA...The Rays won all 5 of his September starts and he went 4-0...was also 4-0 in September 2010...he is 11-3 lifetime after Sept. 1...Finished the season with 205 SO, sixth most in the AL...joined James Shields (also 2011-12) as the only Rays pitchers ever to record 200 SO
in consecutive seasons...they became only the seventh set of teammates to do it in consecutive
years...According to PITCHf/x data, averaged 95.5 mph on his fastball, highest of any qualifying starter in the majors...Led the majors with 84 called strikeouts, 41 percent of his total strikeouts...PHI Cliff Lee finished
second with 79...His 23 starts of seven IP or more led the majors...totaled seven IP or more in 22 of his final 26 starts...Allowed 2 ER or less in 23 starts, most in the AL...has allowed two ER or less in 30 of his last 41 starts...allowed one ER or less in 11 of his final 23 starts...Compiled a 1.62 ERA (44.1-IP, 8-ER) in his six nodecisions...the Rays were shut out in three of his starts...he went 20-5 despite being one of only five pitchers since 1918 to have two no-decisions in games he pitched eight scoreless innings and allowed three hits or less...Limited opponents to a .318 slugging pct., lowest in the AL...Stranded 81.1 pct. of his base runners, second highest pct. in the majors behind teammate
Jeremy Hellickson (82.7)...Held left-handed hitters to a .205 average...during his career has held lefties to a .200 avg., fifth best among active pitchers (min. 500 AB) behind Carlos Marmol (.182), George Sherrill (.186), Clayton Kershaw (.191) and Jonathan Papelbon (.195)...Defeated CC Sabathia twice in 2012...the two have faced each other eight times and the Rays have won seven while Price is 5-1 with a 2.35 ERA (53.2-IP, 14-ER) in those games...eight of his 17 career starts vs. the Yankees have come against Sabathia...Over a 12-start span from June 19-Aug 21, set club-record streaks for wins (8), quality starts (12) and outings of seven IP or more (12)...In a 5-2 win on Sep 25 at BOS, he struck out 13 to become just the 2nd visiting pitcher since 1918 to pitch a CG at Fenway Park with at least 13 SO and no walks...the only other pitcher to do it was NYY Mike Mussina on Sept. 2, 2001, a one-hit, 1-0 win with 13 SO and zero BB...Set a new club record with 29.1 consecutive scoreless innings at Tropicana Field from July 14-Sep 20...in his final four starts at Tropicana Field, pitched to a 0.89 ERA (30.1-IP, 3-ER) but only went 1-0 in that stretch...the Rays only scored one run with him on the mound in his final 23.1 IP at home...Recorded five wins in June, tied for the major league lead...set new club record for June and matched Scott Kazmir (May 2008) for the club
record for any month...ALL-STAR GAME: Threw a scoreless third inning on just seven pitches in the 83rd All-Star Game in Kansas City on July 10...named to his third consecutive All-Star Team, joining Evan Longoria (2008-10) as the only Rays to be so honored in three straight seasons.
2011
Made a career-high 34 starts, tied with 7 others for most in the majors...included was his
first Opening Day start...Was selected by AL Manager Ron Washington
to his 2nd All-Star Game but did not pitch due
to a turf toe injury...Established career highs in innings pitched
(224.1) and strikeouts (218)...became just the
3rd pitcher in Rays history to reach 200 SO in a
season, joining Scott Kazmir (2007) and James
Shields (2011), and the 3rd pitcher in Rays history to reach 220 IP in a season, joining Tanyon
Sturtze (2002) and Shields (2011)...his 218 SO
ranked 4th among major league lefties behind
LAD Clayton Kershaw (248), PHI Cliff Lee (238)
and NYY CC Sabathia (230)...Ranked 5th in the AL in strikeouts, 9th in innings pitched and 8th in opp avg. (.230)...held
lefties to a .171 (36-for-210) avg., lowest among
ML starters...lefties have hit .198 (102-for-514,
6-HR) off him in his career...among active starting pitchers (min. 75 starts), this ranks 3rd behind LAD Clayton Kershaw (.194) and LAA C.J.
Wilson (.198)...Became one of only 10 pitchers in American
League history to record 200 SO, 200 IP and a
sub-3.50 ERA and finish with a losing record...
the list includes Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan
(1978), Cy Young (1905), Jim Bunning (1960),
Ed Walsh (1910) and Bert Blyleven (1976)...only
one other pitcher has done that in the last 30
years: NYY Melido Perez in 1992...only one AL
pitcher in the last 10 years has recorded 200
SO and 200 IP and finished with a losing record: CWS Javier Vazquez in 2008...only two
qualifying AL pitchers in 2011 had a losing record with a lower ERA: SEA/DET Doug Fister
(2.83, 11-13) and LAA Ervin Santana (3.38, 11-
12)...was the lowest ERA in club history by a
pitcher with a losing record...Still owns the 2nd-best career winning pct. in
club history (.612, 41-26) behind Jeff Niemann
(.623, 38-23)...since joining the starting rotation on May 25, 2009, his 41 wins are tied with
PHI Cliff Lee for 3rd among major league lefties behind NYY CC Sabathia (55) and BOS Jon
Lester (46)...Pitched 8 or more innings 9 times but was
the only Rays regular starter without a complete game...only one pitcher in AL history has
thrown as many innings and not had a complete game: OAK Barry Zito (228.1) in 2005...Was one of 12 AL starters in 2011 to receive
less than 4 runs per game of run support...Price
(3.93 runs per game) and teammate James
Shields (3.75) had the lowest run support
among AL East starters...the Rays scored one
run or less in 9 of his starts...On Aug 28 at TOR, set a career high and club record with 14 strikeouts in a 12-0 win...was winless the remainder of the season going 0-2 in 6
September starts with a 4.01 ERA (33.2-IP, 30-
H, 20-R, 15-ER, 16-BB, 34-SO)...allowed 3 runs
or less in 5 of the 6 starts and was tagged with
5 unearned runs...had never gone more than
4 straight starts without a win...held a lead in
4 of the 6 starts...was 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA in
September 2010...His 14 strikeouts eclipsed the previous mark 13
shared by James Shields and Scott Kazmir...14
SO tied for the most ever in a game against the
Jays at SkyDome/Rogers Centre...followed that
up with an 11-strikeout performance in a 3-2
loss on Sep 2 at BAL...25 strikeouts in consecutive games games were the most by a major
league pitcher in 2011 and the Rays club mark
for strikeouts in consecutive games...Had 6 double-digit strikeout games, tied with
TEX C.J. Wilson for 2nd most in the AL after
SEA Felix Hernandez (7)...tied Scott Kazmir's
club record for a single season (6 in 2007)...had
3 in his career entering this season...Has allowed 6 career home runs to left-handed
hitters, 5 coming in 2011...allowed a 3-run home
run to Curtis Granderson on May 16 vs. NYY,
the first HR he allowed to a lefty since June 23,
2009 to Chase Utley, a streak of 310 AB without one...Lowered his walks per 9 innings from 3.4 in
2010 to 2.5 in 2011...opponents hit .270 (47-for-
174) off him with RISP and .219 the rest of the
time...they hit only .187 (31-for-166) with RISP in
2010, 2nd lowest in the AL...Is 23-9 lifetime in 42 starts against the AL East
with a 2.92 ERA (280.2-IP, 91-ER)...is 10-1 in AL
East ballparks...Went 8-4 on the road and is 12-4 on the road
since July 24, 2010...snapped the Indians 14-
game home win streak with an 8-2 win on
May 11...Defeated CC Sabathia, 5-1, on Aug 12 at NYY...he
has made 5 starts against the Yankee southpaw and is 3-0 (1.56, 34.2-IP, 6-ER) while the
Rays have won all 5 games...in 8 career regular season starts against former Cy Young winners
is 5-0 with a 1.69 ERA (53.1-IP, 10-ER) while
the Rays have won all 8 games (5 vs. Sabathia,
2 vs. Roy Halladay, 1 vs. Cliff Lee)...he did lose
twice to Lee in the 2010 ALDS...Permitted Derek Jeter's 3,000th hit on July 9
at NYY, a solo home run in the 3rd inning of a
5-4 loss...Became the 13th pitcher in major league history to make an Opening Day start, All-Star Game
start and postseason start all by the age of 25...
he was the first to do so since ATL Tom Glavine,
20 years ago...the others: NYM Dwight Gooden,
KC Bret Saberhagen, BOS Roger Clemens, LAD
Fernando Valenzuela, OAK Vida Blue, NYM Tom
Seaver, DET Denny McLain, LAD Don Drysdale,
NYY Whitey Ford, PHI Robin Roberts and NYY
Lefty Gomez...POSTSEASON: Started Game 3 of the ALDS vs.
Texas and lost 4-3 to Colby Lewis...his line: 6.2
IP, 7 H, 3 R/ER, 1 BB, 3 SO...took a 1-0 lead into
the 7th inning but permitted a 2-run homer to
Mike Napoli...fell to 0-3 in 3 postseason starts
vs. Texas, with all 3 losses coming at Tropicana
Field...Rays have scored 5 runs total in those
games...he has struck out 17 and walked one in
the 3 games.
2010
Began the year as the Rays No. 4 starter and
went on to finish 2nd in the AL Cy Young voting
while winning 19 games, the most by a major
league pitcher in his first full season since
2002 when HOU Roy Oswalt won 19 games ...
was also the youngest pitcher to start an All-
Star Game since Dwight Gooden in 1986.
... Led the majors with a .760 winning pct. (min.
162 IP) ... he is 29-13 over the last two seasons
(.690), 6th best in the majors (min. 25 dec.)
over that span ... he is 22-6 with a 2.80 ERA
(234.1-IP, 73-ER) in his last 36 games (35
starts) since Sep 14, 2009.
... Set club records in wins (19), ERA (2.72), opp
avg. (.221), quality starts (25) and winning pct.
(.760).
... Was the only pitcher to rank in the top five in
the AL in wins, winning pct., ERA, opp avg.
and quality starts.
... Only six lefthanders all-time have matched his
numbers for wins, ERA and strikeouts in one
season at his age or younger: DET Frank Tanana
(1976), OAK Vida Blue (1971), CLE Herb
Score (1956), DET Hal Newhouser (1945), NYG
Rube Marquard (1911) and CIN Noodles Hahn
(1901). ... Became the youngest lefty to win 19 games
since FLA Dontrelle Willis (age 22) won 22 in
2005 ... was the youngest AL lefty to win 19
since 2002, when OAK Barry Zito (age 24) won
23 and CWS Mark Buehrle (age 23) won 19.
... His 2.72 ERA was the lowest among AL lefties
and 2nd among major league southpaws
behind STL Jaime Garcia (2.70).
... Allowed 3 runs or less in 27 of his 31 starts ... in
the last 20 years, only three AL pitchers have
had more starts of 3 runs or less in one season:
KC Kevin Appier (31) in 1993, CWS Esteban
Loaiza (28) in 2003 and SEA Felix Hernandez
(28) in 2010.
... Allowed 3 ER or less in 28 of 31 starts and 43
of 54 in his career.
... The Rays were 23-8 (.742) in games Price
started by Price ... they are 38-17 (.691) in his
55 career starts.
... Went 8-1 in 13 starts following a Rays loss ... 14
of his starts came with first place at stake
(Rays were ether tied for first, or no more than
a game ahead or behind) ... Rays were 10-4
and he was 7-3 in those games.
... Recorded 12 wins against teams that finished
the season with a winning record, tied with
BOS Jon Lester for the most in the majors ... 17
of his starts came against pitchers that finished
with 10-plus wins and a winning record.
... In 7 career regular-season starts against former
Cy Young winners, is 4-0 with a 1.79 ERA
(45.1-IP, 9-ER) while the Rays have won all 7
games (4 vs.CC Sabathia, 2 vs. Roy Halladay,
1 vs. Cliff Lee).
... His .187 opp avg. (31-for-166) with RISP was
2nd lowest in the AL after BOS Clay Buchholz
(.161).
... Went 9-2 with a 1.96 ERA at home in 16 starts,
2nd best home ERA in the AL ... the 9 wins tied
the club record for most victories at home
(James Shields, 2008) ... all 16 were quality
starts ... finished the year with a streak of 18
consecutive quality starts at home dating
back to Sep 3, 2009 vs. BOS, a 6-3 loss ... career
at Tropicana Field is 17-5 with a 2.32 ERA,
best record and ERA all-time in the dome ... is
12-8 with a 4.45 ERA on the road in his career.
... Did not allow a home run to a left-handed hitter
in 175 at-bats and held lefties to a .213 average ...
in his career has held lefties to a .218
avg. (66-for-304) with only 1 home run (PHI
Chase Utley on June 23, 2009) ... lefties have
not homered in their last 253 at-bats off Price
since the Utley homer.
... Went 10-2 with a 2.12 ERA (93.1-IP, 22-ER)
against AL East teams ... is 16-3 with a 2.67
ERA (161.2-IP, 48-ER) lifetime vs. the AL
East ... his .842 career winning pct. vs. the East
is the best all-time (Min. 10 decisions) since divisional
play began in 1969.
... Walked 79 batters, 6th most in the AL, but did
not walk a batter in his final 21.2 innings of the
regular season and postseason.
... Received the Warren Spahn Award as the best
left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball,
based on a combination of wins, strikeouts
and ERA ... accepted the award at a ceremony
in Oklahoma City in January 2011.
... Made his 50th career start on Sep 1 vs. TOR ...
since 1952, only seven other pitchers have
reached his totals in wins (26), ERA (3.53)
and strikeouts (266) through 50 starts: Roy
Oswalt (2001-02), Roger Clemens (1984-86),
Dwight Gooden (1984-85), Fernando Valenzuela
(1981-82), Ron Guidry (1975-78), Vida Blue
(1969-72) and Gary Peters (1963-64).
... Set the club record for wins in a season with
his 15th on Aug 9 vs. DET, breaking the club
record shared by James Shields (2008), Edwin
Jackson (2008) and Rolando Arrojo (1998).
... Went 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA in September (2nd
in AL), setting September club records in wins
and ERA ... became the second Ray to earn
a Pitcher of the Month honor, joining Scott
Kazmir (May 2008) ... capped the month with
a 5-0 win Sep 28 vs. BAL, pitching 8 scoreless
innings as the Rays clinched their second
postseason appearance ... went 4-1 with a
2.18 ERA in June and 3-1, 2.20 in April.
... On Sep 13 he and Sabathia each threw 8
scoreless innings (Price allowed 3 hits, Sabathia
2 hits) in a 1-0, 11-inning win ... it was
the second time in less than a year he denied
Sabathia his 20th win (also Oct 2, 2009 at
home) ... the two faced off again Sep 23 at NYY
with Price getting his 18th victory ... has faced
Sabathia three times over the last two years,
with the Rays winning all 3 games.
... Is 3-1 with a 3.38 ERA (50.2-IP, 35-H, 19-ER)
in 8 career games (7 starts) vs. the Yankees ...
has held New York to a .191 avg. in his career,
lowest of any active pitcher (min. 50-IP), lowest
of anyone since Sparky Lyle (.167 from
1967-80) and 7th lowest all-time.
... Threw his first career complete game, a 4-hit
shutout, on April 24 vs. TOR ... is 6-0 lifetime
against the Jays and the Rays have won all 7
of his starts.
... Opponents were 0-for-13 with the bases loaded ...
only SF Santiago Casilla (0-for-14) was
better in 2010.
2009
Twenty-four-year-old rookie made 23 starts
after his promotion from Triple-A Durham on
May 25...Rays were 14-9 in his starts...He and Jeff Niemann became just the 4th set
of AL rookie teammates since 1980 to finish
over .500 with 10+ wins...they joined SEA
Freddy Garcia and John Halama in 1999, TOR
Mike Timlin and Juan Guzman in 1991 and
CWS Britt Burns and Rich Dotson in 1980...Was 2nd among major league rookies (min. 20
starts) with a .241 opp avg. ...only ATL Tommy
Hanson (.225) was better...would have finished
5th overall in the AL, but lacked enough
innings to qualify...his 7.15 SO/9 IP ranked 4th
among ML rookies...Starting July 31, he went 7-3 with a 3.58 ERA
(75.1-IP, 61-H, 30-ER) over his final 12 starts of
the season...held opponents to a .217 batting
average, 5th best in the AL over that span...His 7 wins after the All-Star break led the staff...Was 3-0 in his last 4 starts including wins over
TOR Roy Halladay and NYY CC Sabathia...Defeated Sabathia 13-4 (7-IP, 2-H, 1-ER, 2-BB,
5-SO) in his final start, Oct 2 at home, denying
the Yankee lefty in his bid for 20 wins...2 starts
prior he beat Halladay, 3-1, on Sep 20 (6.2-IP,
3-H, 1-R/ER)...was his 2nd win over Halladay
(also July 9), joining Niemann as the only rookies
ever to beat Halladay twice in one season...Won Sep 14 at BAL to stop the Rays 11-game
losing streak...Was 8-3 with a 2.93 ERA (70.2-IP, 23-ER) at
home, compared to 2-4, 6.24 on the road...
won 5 consecutive home starts June 28-
Aug 18 tying the club record also held by Andy
Sonnanstine and Victor Zambrano.
Allowed 2 ER or fewer .. in 13 of his 23 starts...Has allowed only one HR to a left-handed hitter
in his career (PHI Chase Utley on June 23)
in 129 at-bats...lefties have hit .225 (29-129)
off him during his career...Was 6-1 in 10 starts against the AL East with a
3.59 ERA (57.2-IP, 23-ER)...His 17.8 pitches per inning would have been
the highest average in the AL, but he lacked
enough innings to qualify...Allowed only 24 walks in his last 15 starts
(90.1-IP) from July 9, after issuing 30 BB in his
first 8 starts (38)...In 3 starts against the Yankees he held them
to a .113 batting average, lowest by a pitcher
(min. 50 batters faced) since CLE Tom Candiotti
in 1990 and the lowest by a rookie in the
last 55 years...was 1-0 and his 1.93 ERA (18.2-
IP, 4-ER) was the lowest in the majors against
the Yankees and the lowest by a rookie since
CWS Bill Long (1.13) in 1987...Started the biggest comeback in Rays history
(July 25 at TOR, when the Rays won 10-9 after
trailing 8-0) and the biggest blown lead in Rays
history (May 25 at CLE)...earned no decision
in the 11-10 loss...after offense provided him
with a 10-0 lead, he allowed a 2-run HR to
Ryan Garko in the 4th before he was removed
with a 10-2 lead...Entering the season was rated the No. 2 overall
prospect in baseball (behind BAL Matt Wieters)by Baseball America, and the top pitching
prospect...On May 30 vs. Central Division champion Minnesota
he struck out 11 batters in 5.2 innings
earning a 5-2 win, his first career regular-season
victory...came in his first career start at
Tropicana Field...In his first 3 major league starts, he averaged
12.6 SO/9 IP (14.1-IP, 20-SO) highest by any
pitcher since CHC Mark Prior posted the same
numbers in 2000 (min. 12 IP)...On Aug 29 at DET, beat Nate Robertson in
the longest outing of his career (7.1 IP)...5 H,
1 R/ER, 1 BB, 4 SO...held Detroit scoreless
through 7 innings, with the lone run scoring
after he was replaced by Dan Wheeler...was
the first road victory of his career.
..Singled off Aaron Cook on June 17 at COL for
his first major league hit...While at Durham, he did not pitch more than
5 innings or 82 pitches in any of his 8 starts
for the Bulls...in his last minor league outing,
May 17 vs. Rochester (Twins), he threw 5 nohit,
shutout innings (2-BB, 9-SO).
2008
The top overall pick in the 2007 June Draft
made the jump from A-ball to the majors in
his first professional season, making his big
league debut less than 4 months after his first
outing as a pro...spent time with Vero Beach
(A), Montgomery (AA) and Durham (AAA) before
his recall on Sep 13 as the Bulls completed
their postseason run...turned 23 on Aug 26.
Made 1 start and 4 relief appearances for the
Rays after his call-up, going 0-0 with a 1.93
ERA (14.0-IP, 9-H, 4-R, 3-ER, 4-BB, 12-SO).
Combining all four of his stops plus postseason
numbers with Tampa Bay and Durham,
went 14-1 with 1 save and a 2.31 ERA (140.1-IP,
113-H, 40-R, 36-ER, 44-BB, 144-SO) over 31
games (22 starts).
Made his major league debut Sep 14 at Yankee
Stadium, entering in relief of Edwin Jackson to
begin the 3rd inning...totaled 5.1-IP, 3-H, 2-R/
ER, 0-BB, 4-SO, 87-pit, 55-str...among his
4-SO were A-Rod and Jason Giambi...retired
the side in order on 7 pitches in his first inning
of work (Xavier Nady, Robinson Cano, Ivan
Rodriguez)...retired his first 6 batters faced,
until Derek Jeter's 5th-inning homer, which
tied Lou Gehrig (1,269 hits) for most hits alltime
at Yankee Stadium.
Made his first Tropicana Field appearance
on Sep 18 vs. MIN, with 2 men on base in the
7th...allowed a 2-run single to Joe Mauer before
striking out lefties Justin Morneau and
Jason Kubel.
Made his first major league start on Sep 22 at
BAL...did not allow a hit until the 5th inning,
but was matched by O's starter Brian Bass,
who was pulled after 4.2 hitless innings...
tossed 5.1 innings and was charged with 2-R
(1-ER) on 4-H and 3-BB...struck out 3.
Made his final appearance of the year Sep 28
at Detroit, tossing a scoreless 1.2 (1-H, 2-SO).
After the season, was named the Rays No. 1
prospect by Baseball America, the No. 1 prospect
in all of baseball by MiLB.com, and the
No. 2 prospect in the game by ESPN.com.
Was named 2008 Minor League Player of the
Year by USA Today, chosen by the publication's
staff and by fans online...past winners
include current Rays Matt Garza (2006) and
Gabe Kapler (1998) and former Rays Josh
Hamilton (2000), Cliff Floyd (1993) and Tino
Martinez (1990).
Honored as the Rays Minor League Pitcher
of the Year...combined to go 12-1 with a 2.30
ERA in 19 starts between 3 minor league levels...
totaled 109.2-IP, 92-H, 7-HR, 32-BB,
109-SO, .228 opp avg.
Went 11-0 in 15 starts over his first 2 stops
before losing his first start with Durham
Aug 13 vs. Norfolk (Orioles)...ranked 3rd in the
Rays minor league system with 12 wins.
Made 2 relief apps for the Rays during Spring
Training, totaling 2.0 scoreless, hitless innings...
made his debut March 8 at Legends
Field against the Yankees...hit the first batter
and struck out the next 3 in order, earning a
standing ovation...on March 20, left a spring
start at the Blue Jays minor league complex
in Dunedin with what was later diagnosed as a
mild strain of his left elbow, forcing him to the
DL...was sidelined until May.
Made first start on May 22 for Vero, and began
his pro career with 20.0 consecutive scoreless
IP...did not allow a run over his first 3 starts.
Beat Pedro Martinez (on rehab assignment
for the Mets) at Port St. Lucie in his 2nd pro
start, May 28 (6.0-IP, 2-H, 0-R, 0-BB, 9-SO)...
after the game Martinez told MLB.com, "He's
amazing. That kid is very mature for his time in
[the pros], and very talented. ... At that age, I
don't think I was like that. He seems far superior.
... God bless him and keep him healthy."
Went 1-0, 3.27 (11.0-IP, 10-H, 4-R/ER, 4-BB,
15-SO) for Durham in the IL playoffs...in Game
1 of the Gov. Cup finals Sep 9 at SWB, earned
ND (6.0-IP, 7-H, 4-R/ER, 1-BB, 9-SO) in an 8-7
loss...it was his last minor league outing before
his call-up...won Game 1 of the Gov. Cup
semis, 3-0, on Sep 3 at LOU (5.0-IP, 3-H, 0-R,
3-BB, 6-SO).
POSTSEASON EXPERIENCE
The rookie made 5 relief outings in the 2008
postseason and was on the mound when the
Rays captured the AL pennant...combined to
go 1-0 with a save and a 1.59 ERA (5.2-IP, 2-H,
2-R, 1-ER, 4-BB, 8-SO)...held opponents to a
.100 average...finished each of the 5 games in
which he appeared.
Became the quickest top overall June Draft selection
(No. 1 in 2007) to play in the World Series...
surpassed ATL Chipper Jones (drafted
in 1990, Series in 1995) and LAD Tim Belcher
(drafted in 1983, Series in 1988).
During the ALCS, recorded his first win (Game
2) and save (Game 7) at the major league level...
in Game 7, got the final 4 outs (3 via strikeout)
for his first big league save...entered in the
8th inning with 2 outs and bases loaded and
struck out J.D. Drew...Jed Lowrie bounced
into an unassisted fielder's choice forceout at
2B for the final out in the 9th.
Became the 3rd rookie pitcher to record a win
and a save in the same postseason series,
joining STL Adam Wainwright (2006 World Series)
and CIN Rawly Eastwick (1975 NLCS and
World Series)...was the first rookie to record a
postseason save after entering the game in a
bases-loaded situation...became the 4th major
league pitcher all-time to win a postseason
game before his first regular-season victory,
and the 9th pitcher to record a postseason
save before a regular-season save.
Pitched in Game 2 and Game 5 of the World
Series...worked the final 2.1 frames in Game
2 and yielded a solo HR to Eric Bruntlett, but
struck out Ryan Howard and Chase Utley...
tossed a scoreless, hitless frame in Game 5
with two strikeouts.
2007
Selected No. 1 overall in the June Draft...Signed by TB on 8/15, but did not pitch in a game. Attended TB's instructional league camp in September while taking a break from classes at Vanderbilt.
