David Price the ace once again showed up for the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.
The Boston Red Sox left-hander allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out five in 7 1/3 innings in the Red Sox’s 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals in Game 2 of the teams’ day-night doubleheader Wednesday. It was Price’s second straight quality start, as he improved his record to 6-1 and ERA to 5.53.
Price’s transition to the Red Sox hasn’t always been smooth, as he’s allowed five-plus runs in four outings so far, but he’s been getting much better results since making a tweak to his delivery before his May 12 outing against the Houston Astros.
“Yeah, he’s getting there,” manager John Farrell told reporters on “Red Sox Extra Innings Live.” “He’s in command of the game. I think the important thing is when he’s showing consistent shape to his curveball. … So tonight, four pitches for strikes. A solid outing by David.”
Price now leads the American League in strikeouts per nine innings with 11.72.
Let’s check out some more notes from the Red Sox-Royals doubleheader.
Click for Game 1 recap >>
Click for Game 2 recap >>
— Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. extended his major league-best hitting streak to 23 games Tuesday afternoon — but waited until the last possible moment to do so. Bradley singled off Wade Davis in the ninth to finish 1-for-4.
He didn’t wait long in Game 2, though, as he hit a solo home run in the second inning to extend his hitting streak to 24 games. He now is batting .407 with seven doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 15 runs and 28 RBIs since his streak started. He’s also closing in on Dom DiMaggio, whose 34-game hit streak remains the longest in team history.
— Red Sox starter Steven Wright bounced back nicely in Game 1 from his rough, rainy outing last Friday at Fenway Park, tossing an eight-inning complete game in a 3-2 loss.
The first inning remains an issue for the knuckleballer, however, as the Royals jumped out to an early lead thanks to a two-run home run by Eric Hosmer in the bottom of the first. Of the 15 earned runs Wright has allowed this season, seven have come in the opening frame.
— Don’t forget about Xander Bogaerts, too. The Red Sox shortstop has a 12-game hitting streak of his own, and his 57 hits lead the American League this season.
— Bradley Jr.’s home run also extended Boston’s home run streak to 19 games, which is tied for the best stretch in team history. The Red Sox have 32 homers in those 19 contests.
Thumbnail photo via Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports Images
