In his first start for the streaking Toronto Blue Jays, who have won four of their last five outings, David Price electrified a sold-out crowd and led Toronto to victory over fellow contender the Minnesota Twins. The Toronto Blue Jays won by a score of 5-1.
David Price with a fine start against Twins. Blue Jays are about to move 5.5 games back behind the Yankees in AL East.
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) August 3, 2015
As previously reported by the Inquisitr , David Price was traded to the Blue Jays on July 30, one day before the MLB trade deadline. In return, the Detroit Tigers acquired top prospect Daniel Norris (who dazzled in his pitching debut Sunday for Detroit), left-handed pitcher Jairo Labourt, and another left-handed pitcher, Matt Boyd.
David Price was acquired by the Blue Jays in hopes of him aiding a playoff run this season, before Price becomes a free agent after this season. After this victory, Toronto is now tied with the Minnesota Twins for the second wild card spot in the American League.
Price faced much adversity Monday. In the second inning, he gave up a solo home run to Hunter, which must have curbed his early confidence, but was equaled by Ryan Goins in the bottom of that inning. In the fourth inning, Price started the inning by giving up a double and two walks, leaving him to deal with loaded bases and none out. Price dealt with this very well, forcing a pop out to Troy Tulowitzki and two strikeouts to get out of the jam, and maintain the 1-1 score.
In the fifth inning, Josh Donaldson hit a two-run homer, his 27th of the season, to give the Toronto Blue Jays a 3-1 lead, and David Price some support.
Does Josh Donaldson hit rockets every AB? Two run opposite field jack. #27 puts #Jays in front.
— Kevin Burkhardt (@kevinburkhardt) August 3, 2015
After pitching seven innings, David Price had struck out 10 batters, and only gave up three hits and two walks, with 105 pitches. Fans thought that Price may come out to pitch the eighth, since the Blue Jays bullpen has been suspect, at best, as of late, and after both Edwin Encarnacion and Justin Smoak each had an RBI, which extended the lead to four runs, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons decided Price could still come in, and even if he got into a jam, he had a lot of insurance.
EE RBI single pushes #BlueJays lead to 4-1 over #Twins B7
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 3, 2015
Tip of the cap from David Price as he walks off mid 8th. Retired 15 straight since escaping bases load jam in fourth
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 3, 2015
Price finished the eighth inning by striking out another batter (11 total) and retiring the side in order. With his scuffle in the fourth inning, Price retired the last 15 batters he faced, leaving an amazing impression on die-hard Blue Jays fans.
David Price: 2nd Blue Jays pitcher to strike out 10 in 1st start for team, joining Jose Nunez (11, 1987; Clemens: 9 K in debut) #Elias
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 3, 2015
Fellow import LaTroy Hawkins, who came to Toronto in the Tulowitzki trade, closed out the game by retiring the side in order.
#BlueJays beat #Twins in David Price’s debut, grab a share of a wild card spot. Details at sportsnet.ca shortly
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 3, 2015
Do you think the acquisition of David Price by the Toronto Blue Jays was a good move after seeing his first start? Do you think the Blue Jays will make it to the postseason? If so, how do you think they will fare in the playoffs?
[Image Source: Getty Images / Tom Szczerbowski]
