ST PETERSBURG, Fl — As it turns Rays ace David Price being in a bad mood over trade rumors turned out to be bad news for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Price came up two outs short of a shutout, striking out 11 Pirates, marking the fifth straight game in which he has stuck out 10 or more batters, in route to a 5-1 victory.
Price threw 120 pitches allowing just five hits and improved his record to 6-7 on the year and lowered his ERA to 3.63.
The last pitcher with five straight starts of 10 strikeouts was Minnesota’s Johan Santana from June 20-July 11, 2004.
Price let his feeling be known prior to his afternoon start against the Pirates.
“I mean, obviously I think about it,” Price told reporters on Tuesday. “That’s why I’ve been in a bad mood the last week and a half. I think about it. You guys know that. And it’s nothing I really want to talk about.
The Rays scored three runs in the first when Ben Zobrist tripled to score Desmond Jennings who singled to start the game. Zobrist scored on a misplayed ball by Pirates shortstop Jody Mercer and Evan Longoria scored on a sacrifice fly ball to center by Kevin Kiermaier.
The Rays tacked on two more runs in the on RBI single by James Loney and Kiermaier.
As for the rumors, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, teams that had scouts at Tropicana Field on Wednesday included the Blue Jays and Royals (two each), plus the Braves, Brewers, Rangers, Nationals, Mariners, Twins and Orioles.
Teams that have scouted him previously and are considered to have serious interest include the cardinals, Giants, Dodgers and Yankees.
Should Price be traded at the deadline in July he would have six more starts for Tampa Bay. With the worst record in MLB that scenario seems to be a reach.
Rays Notes
Rays SS Yunel Escobar was held out due to a sore shoulder, but he is expected to play Friday at Baltimore. The Rays will add RHP Alex Colome to the roster on Friday to start Game 1 of a day-night doubleheader.
