David Price failed to join some of the best possible pitching company by falling short of double-digit strikeouts on Tuesday. Also, Joe Mauer suffered an injury and the Yankee Captain tied a prestigious franchise record.
Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price struck out nine batters in seven innings against the New York Yankees on Tuesday, ending his streak of double-digit strikeout games at five.
Price threw 119 pitches, forcing the hand of Rays manager Joe Maddon, who opted to go with reliever Jake McGee in the eighth inning instead of allowing his ace the opportunity to extend his streak. McGee and Grant Balfour kept the Yankees scoreless in the final two innings to preserve a 2-1 victory.
Had Price been able to notch one more strikeout, he would have become the fourth pitcher in big-league history to whiff 10 or more batters in six consecutive starts, joining Nolan Ryan, Pedro Martinez and Randy Johnson. Though the 28-year-old left-hander just missed that achievement, he's still included in some pretty impressive company when it comes to major leaguers who have racked up double-digit punch-outs in five consecutive outings. That list is made up of Price and the three aforementioned legends, as well as Johan Santana, Curt Schilling, Dwight Gooden and J.R. Richard.
One of the few hits Price allowed was this fourth-inning double to Derek Jeter, which tied Lou Gehrig's franchise record:
Mauer injured
Minnesota Twins star Joe Mauer went 1-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs in his team's rout of the Kansas City Royals, but as is often the case with Mauer, it came with a price:
Joe Mauer left tonight's game with a right oblique strain
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) July 2, 2014The injury appeared to occur during Mauer's fourth-inning double, and he was replaced at first base by Josh Willingham the following inning.
Tuesday scores
Blue Jays 4, Brewers 1
Angels 8, White Sox 4
White Sox, Angels
Pirates 3, Diamondbacks 2
Nationals 7, Rockies 1
Rays 2, Yankees 1
Orioles 8, Rangers 3
Tigers 3, Athletics 0
Cubs 2, Red Sox 1
Braves 5, Mets 4
Marlins 5, Phillies 4
Twins 10, Royals 2
Mariners 13, Astros 2
Padres 8, Reds 2
Indians 10, Dodgers 3
Giants 5, Cardlinals 0