FORT MYERS, Fla. — David Price gave up consecutive homers in the middle inning of his Boston debut, and the Minnesota Twins beat the Red Sox 8-2 on Thursday.
Signed as free agent to a $217 million, seven-year contract to bolster a staff with the American League’s second-worst ERA last year, the 30-year-old left-hander threw 53 pitches in three innings, mostly fastballs.
“The body felt good,” Price said. “I made some pitches, didn’t execute some but that’s to be expected right now.”
The 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner and five-time All Star gave up Brian Dozier’s double on his first pitch. Eduardo Escobar and Kurt Suzuki homered over the left-field wall, with Suzuki’s drive caroming off the foul pole.
The lefty knows a lot will be expected of him with a high price tag.
“The expectations that I have for myself far exceed any manager or teammate or fans’ expectations for myself,” he said. “If I can just go out there and throw the baseball the way that I’m capable of throwing it, then I’ll be satisfied.”
Price allowed four hits, walked one and struck out three.
Manager John Farrell felt like his pitch total nearly went too far in his first outing.
“He was getting close to the limit for the day, being the first time he’s gone three innings,” Farrell said. “We’ll look to add another 15 pitches to his next and begin to get into the 60, 65-pitch range.”
Price felt like he had good command of his cutter. He got two strikeouts swinging — Kennys Vargas and Trevor Plouffe — with cutters in the dirt.
“I had a good feel for it, both inside to righties and back door,” Price said. “It’s a big pitch for me. I feel like I can expand the strike zone a little bit for my fastball and changeup.”
Thumbnail photo via Jonathan Dyer/USA TODAY Sports Images
