David Price matched a career-high 14 strikeouts and tossed eight strong innings with the benefit of the early lead Travis Shaw provided when he highlighted a five-RBI game with a three-run, first-inning homer in Tuesday night’s 11-4 win over the Braves at Turner Field.
Price struck out each of the final five batters he faced and recorded eight of his final nine outs via strikeout. The former American League Cy Young Award winner surrendered three consecutive singles and issued a walk with two outs in the first inning before escaping a bases-loaded threat by striking out Drew Stubbs.
Matt Wisler was not nearly as successful during the five-inning effort he provided the Braves, who have lost 16 of their first 20 games for the first time since 1988. Wisler settled down after enduring a four-run first inning, but the early damage proved too significant to overcome against Price.
The most important part of Tuesday’s performance by Price is that he gave the bullpen almost an entire night off by going eight innings. The Red Sox have asked a lot out of their relievers of late, and they’re in the midst of a stretch of playing 32 games in 33 days. The lefty was magnificent, finishing the performance with back-to-back strikeouts. Price’s best performance thus far in his short time with the Red Sox immediately followed a clunker last week at home against the Rays, when he was touched up for eight hits and eight runs over 3 2/3 innings.
Still developing: Wisler was nowhere near as sharp as he had been when he limited the Dodgers to one earned run while throwing a career-high 115 pitches over 6 2/3 innings on Thursday. But after enduring the 38-pitch first inning, which included Shaw’s homer and Brock Holt’s RBI double, the young right-hander totaled 28 pitches over his next three innings. Dustin Pedroia drilled a leadoff double and scored on a wild pitch during Wisler’s fifth and final inning.
Shaw provides early liftoff: Thanks to a big swing by Shaw for a three-run shot to right in the first, Price pitched with a lead for the entirety of his start. Shaw’s homer was a rocket, leaving the bat at 109 mph and landing a projected 418 feet away, according to Statcast™.
Jeff Francoeur began his two-hit game when he drove in a first-inning run with the third of three consecutive one-out singles surrendered by Price. Francoeur opened the fourth inning with another single and scored on the sacrifice fly Wisler drove to right field with the bases loaded. The Braves’ left fielder went 8-for-12 against left-handed pitchers (Alex Wood, Clayton Kershaw, Steven Matz and Price) during this homestand.
With David Ortiz at Turner Field for the final time on Tuesday night, the Braves recognized him with a video tribute that played before the top of the second inning. As the video concluded, the fans — many of them Boston transplants — applauded. Ortiz, who didn’t start either of the two games here, came out of the dugout and tipped his cap. As the top of the ninth inning started, fans chanted “We want Papi.” But with the Red Sox holding a commanding lead, manager John Farrell had Chris Young hit for Price instead of Ortiz.
Second baseman Daniel Castro continued to dazzle with the glove in the fourth inning, when he raced into shallow right field to rob Mookie Betts and begin a double play. Castro extended his left arm and then watched the ball bounce off his glove into his bare right hand as he slid across the outfield grass on his backside. Castro then threw to first base to retire Price, who had run toward second base.
Bud Norris will take the mound when this Interleague series shifts to Boston on Wednesday. Adonis Garcia is expected to serve as the Braves’ designated hitter during the two-game set at Fenway Park. Castro, Jace Peterson or Kelly Johnson will likely man third base.
