NEW YORK -- The initiation to the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry has been difficult for Boston left-hander David Price, and that trend continued when Price was hit hard on Thursday night in a 9-1 loss to New York in the Bronx.
After a spat with a reporter in the visitors' clubhouse following Wednesday's 8-0 loss, Price had hoped to switch the narrative by turning in a dominant performance in the rubber match between the rivals on Thursday.
But for the first time in his three starts since returning from the disabled list, Price lacked command. The Yankees -- particularly Gary Sanchez -- made him pay.
• Farrell: Price's episode with reporter to be 'handled'
Sanchez belted two home runs off Price and is now 4-for-7 against the lefty lifetime, with all four of the hits being long balls.
"He hit a changeup the first time and then a fastball the second time," said Price. "I didn't have a very good changeup tonight. It was kind of the opposite changeup I had in Baltimore. Felt good with my fastball on both sides of the plate. I just didn't make enough pitches whenever I needed to."

Price gave up eight hits and six runs over five innings, walking four and striking out four.
"Not as sharp tonight as five days ago," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "There were a number of pitches in to right-handers that he just missed off the edge. Two big swings by Sanchez cost him five runs."
Since joining the Red Sox, Price is 1-4 with an 8.31 ERA in six starts against the Yankees. Before coming to Boston, Price was 13-7 with a 4.04 ERA in 30 career starts against New York.

"I'm just not making good enough pitches," said Price. "I feel like I threw the ball extremely well against those guys two years ago in 2015. I've definitely had my fair share of bad games against these guys, but I've also thrown the ball extremely well against them. It's a tough lineup to pitch against. I look forward to the next time I get to do it."
The rivals will meet next from July 14-16, at Fenway Park, in the first series after the All-Star break. The Red Sox hope to have flipped the standings by then. They left town on Thursday trailing the Yankees by three games in the American League East.
Price said he was in no way affected on Thursday by his profanity-laced incident with a reporter.
"No, it was not tough at all to focus today," said Price. "This is baseball. Stuff happens. It happens to the best of the best. It happened to me tonight. I get to go home, see my family, see my kid, see my dogs, my mother-in-law -- I'll be ready in five days."
In the final stages of Thursday's start, Price continually looked at his hand. It turns out he developed a blister mid-start, but he didn't use that as an excuse.
"No, it's on my ring finger; I've never had a blister in that spot," said Price. "I don't even know how it happened, to be honest. That didn't affect me at all."