Price makes impressive debut

UPDATE, 4:06: Price made an impressive debut, working 5 1/3 innings against the Yankees, allowing three hits - including a homer by Derek Jeter - and striking out four. He was charged with a second run when Wilson Betemit singled off Jason Hammel to score Alex Rodriguez.

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LHP David Price just came on to pitch the third inning, making his major-league debut at Yankee Stadium.

A couple of warmup pitches, a few words of encouragement from Carlos Pena and here he goes ....

First pitch was 96 mph and a ground out to third by Xavier Nady.

Three more at 96 and a fly out to left by Robinson Cano.

And a 97 mph fastball, nasty slider at 89 and a 96 mph fastball and he struck out Pudge Rodriguez.

Three up, three down.

Second inning started with three straight sliders and got a flyout from Cody Ransom, then a weak grounder back to the mound by Brett Gardner, and a groundout to first by Johnny Damon - 21 pitches, six outs.

This inning should be a little more interesting, with Derek Jeter, Jason Giambi and Alex Rodriguez due up.

He started Jeter with a series of sliders, mixed in a couple fastballs, then went back to the slider and gave up an opposite field home run. 

Giambi flied to center, and here comes A-Rod.

And there goes A-Rod, struck out swinging feebly at a 90 mph slider.

Price finished off the inning by gettting Nady on a pop-up on a 96-mph fastball.

So far, it's one hit in three innings.

Price opened his fourth inning by striking out Wilson Betemit on a 94 mph fastball. After a groundout by Pudge Rodriguez, Price weathered an infield miscue, as Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria collided on a pop-up by Cody Ransom, and retired Brett Gardner for the final out.

Price allowed a leadoff single to Johnny Damon to open his fifth inning (the seventh overall), and here comes Derek Jeter again. And there they both go, Jeter grounding a slider into a double play. Price struck out Jason Giambi to end the inning.

Price came out for the eighth, and allowed a bloop opposite-field double to Alex Rodriguez, then got Xaiver Nady to ground out for his final batter.

Comments

[Mark]

Mo...Why would you want to go to a 6 man rotation with 16 games left? That would mean you #1-2-3 would get just 3 starts apiece. I think they should go to a 4 man rotation give the better pitchers (Kazmir, Sheilds, Garza and Sonastine) 4 starts apiece and really make a push for the pennant, not just the play-offs.
We all know they aren't going to score runs. So they are going to have to do it on the mound and with defense.
However, Maddon has shown himself to keep with the status quo and not adjust to situations, so we will keep with 5 starters (including Jackson) and Price will come out of the pen to just get experience.
Either way, we will make the play-offs.

[mo]

Give David a start, go to a six man rotation the last two weeks

[The Gambler]

Yes especially your comments (The Gambler is a moron) Your baseball IQ is a the bottom of the barrel, Jeter older than any infielder on our team can play every a bat and and we need to rest our players? This is a dog fight and we better send our best out every game and they better be ready to battle. I am hearing the players saying we are at the Trop now and everything will be fine, I got news for our players, the Trop doesn't win games, ball players do, the Red Sox have fire in their eyes. Wake up Madden this is a pennant race!!!!!

[The Gambler is a moron]

Looking ahead at 17 games in the final 16 days of the season, Madden had to limit as many guys as he could to playing only half the double header, especially his most important infielders. Also, I really like Perez, but it remains to be seen whether he can hit consistently enough to be an every-day outfielder. Him, BJ, and CC in our outfield next year sure would be nice though . . . Also, Richard, shouldn't the manager of a team in the midst of its first-ever pennant race be making decisions based on what's best for the team's on-field chances, rather than saving player debuts for the home crowd? I'm really hoping the baseball IQ of Tampa Bay-area fans starts rising now that more are watching this game. Some of the comments on these boards are really silly.

[CharlieRay]

I somewhat agree with Edgar but the three starting OF will be CC, Upton & Perez. The back up OF will be "Who is best in spring" Ruggiano, HInske, Gross and you know Gomes will get another shot wether we agree or not. If Rocco is healthy he will be DH & emergancy back up. You will have another look also after they get done trading this winter.

[Edgar]

Fernando Perez should give BJ Upton the run for his money next year in CF. Price in the starting rotation next year. Keep Gross and Ruggiano for RF. I see signs of Eric HInske fading down the stretch. Keep Rocco as DH for the minimum and keep Floyd for one more year. Rays MUST get rid of Troy Percival. Ruggiano has potential but his needs playing time and experience.

[Will]

Richard,

You're an IDIOT!

[Richard]

Why does this organization keep cheating the local fans out of the fun and excitment of seeing things like the intoroduction of Price into the major leagues, the return of Balldeli, I could go on with others. As a long time fan and season ticket holder I think they short change us. Why couldn’t Price have made his first entrance at the dome. They want the fans and then they give the out of town fans the honor of seeing these guys for the first time. Be honest with everyone it makes me angry

[The Gambler]

I have been saying Price should have been up since the all star break. If the Rays loose the American East it is Managements fault. Joe Madden could not get over his all right handed line up against Mussina which I admit was a good decision, however he was still patting himself on the back and failed to put Bartlett and Longoria in with the other Defensive subs he made in the 7th inning and it cost us the ball game and the series. We are up 4-3 going into the bottom of the 7th with the best 3rd baseman in baseball and the best SS in the American League setting on the bench, Aybar stumbles around on a ground ball and lets Jeter get an infield hit and then Zorbist those the double play away. Madden quit patting yourself on the back, this is a dog fight and you better get ready.

[joeknowsbaseball]

The Rays must hold the current season record for men left on base.

It seems that this is the area of team where attitude and ego collide or fail as of late

Not referring to the pop fly that pena willed out of longoria's glove...

Referring to the attitude and ego needed to drive in runs when the bases are loaded...please reference Upton, Longoria and Navarro on this subject...Believe these three may be able to help the others understand that it is not optional whether you drive them in or whiff...whiffing is for ROOKIES!!!

[todd]

Price looked great. Poised and ready to take a spot in this rotation soon.
Perez is everthing BJ upton is and more. Perez is a true gem and needs to be playing everyday for the Rays.
Who is up next?

[tbird]

Rays have found their 4th starter for the remainder of this season and post-season. This kid has it all, poise, confidence and talent. He probably, after say 2 major league seasons under his belt, will be the #1 pitcher for the Rays. So, as we all are too well aware, the Rays have a surplus of pitchers and during the off season, it would behoove management to get some quality offensive threats in here--what will happen next year when looking at the CF position? Perez certainly has made a strong case thus far of belonging!!!

[Go Rays!!]

Pavano worth every penny to the Yanks. Someone should see how much he has gotten paid her innings actually pitched.

[Amanda]

Looking forward to seeing how Price responds after that Jeter HR. This will be a true test for him, seeing how he reacts and handles himself.

[John]

He looks confident, unlike "High Anxiety" Jackson.