ABOVE: David Price, John Gibbons talk Price’s debut in a Jays uniform
TORONTO – David Price Day had everything from rousing ovations and powering strikeouts to the thrill of danger and the offensive explosion the Toronto Blue Jays are known for.
Thanks to 11 strikeouts from Price in eight strong innings, his debut was also a 5-1 victory against the Minnesota Twins that put the Blue Jays in a tie for an American League wild-card spot.
Price was dominant all afternoon Monday, especially after he gave up a home run to Torii Hunter in the second and loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth. The ace left-hander acquired last week from the Detroit Tigers showed why the Blue Jays were willing to pay a hefty price, retiring the final 15 batters he faced.
READ MORE: Twins pitcher gets dad to deliver passport after big league call-up in Toronto
As he walked off the mound following his 119th pitch, Price tipped his cap to the sellout crowd of 45,766 at Rogers Centre that fixated on and adored his every move. His 11 strikeouts tied a franchise record for a pitcher making his debut, and he allowed just three hits and two walks.
With Price in the dugout, the lineup Josh Donaldson confidently declared the best in baseball got to Minnesota starter Ervin Santana and the bullpen to the tune of eight hits and two home runs. Ryan Goins had a solo homer, while Donaldson added a two-run shot, his 27th homer of the season, and later heard chants of “M-V-P.”
Edwin Encarnacion and Justin Smoak each added an RBI single to help the Blue Jays move to within 5 1/2 games of the idle New York Yankees for first in the AL East.
READ MORE: Toronto Blue Jays win heated game against Kansas City Royals
Fans lined up by the hundreds, if not thousands, outside Rogers Centre more than an hour before gates were scheduled to open for Price’s debut and Russell Martin bobblehead day. Those in the building when Price walked out to the bullpen to warm up gave him a standing ovation, and it was even louder when he returned to the dugout.
Price had the crowd rocking from his first 92 mph pitch to Brian Dozier and subsequent strikeout through the groundout he induced to wrap up the eighth inning.
In his third relief appearance since coming to Toronto with shortstop Troy Tulowitzki in a trade from the Colorado Rockies, veteran LaTroy Hawkins pitched a perfect ninth inning to wrap up the win.
Comments