David Price was bound to hit some roadblocks as he eases into the season two months later than anticipated. The one roadblock the ace likely didn't want to meet, however, came in the form of new york yankees catcher Gary Sanchez. In their previous meetings, Sanchez had no problem getting the better of the Boston Red Sox starter. As they met on the diamond once again on Thursday night, the same results were put on display for the world to see.
Price vs. Gary Sanchez
The at-bat in the bottom of the third inning was a quick one. After fouling off the first pitch, Price was forced to watch as Sanchez went yard against him for the first time on the evening.
The bomb to left field scored three runs in total, giving the Yankees a 4-0 lead. It certainly wasn't the start the Red Sox were hoping for, but it was about to get worse.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Sanchez stepped to the plate again, this time with only one runner on base. Instead of a foul to start the at-bat, a ball was the first pitch thrown. The second pitch was yet another home run to right field, this one giving the Yankees a 6-1 lead. The deficit was not one the Red Sox would be able to overcome. Those two at-bats alone made Sanchez 4-of-7 against Price in his short career, with all four of those hits being long balls.
Price takes a step back
Price's road back from a spring training elbow injury has been a long one.
He only made his season debut against the Chicago White Sox on May 29. During that start, he went just five innings, struggling in giving up three runs and ultimately not picking up a decision. His second start went much better, however, as he pitched seven innings and gave up just a single run to pick up a win against the Baltimore Orioles.
He was hoping he to continue an upward trajectory against the Yankees.
But it was not meant to be on Thursday. He wound up giving up six runs in five innings, his worst start of his young season. Price also picked up his first defeat of the year, reminding people of a troubled 2016 season. He is still trying to regain some of his strength and control, however, so patience is required from the fans.
It's never fun to lose to a rival as bitter as the Yankees, but it happens over the course of a long season. The left-handed pitcher will look to rebound from the poor start on Tuesday when he takes on the Philadelphia Phillies in an interleague game, a team with one of the most lackluster offenses in all of Major League Baseball.
