Price enters in relief to protect 6-run lead
The Toronto Blue Jays pulled out all the stops in an effort to save their season - even with a comfortable six-run lead.
Trailing 2-1 in their American League Division Series, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons deployed left-handed ace David Price in Monday's Game 4 during the fifth inning to protect a 7-1 lead over the Texas Rangers. Price, who replaced starter R.A. Dickey, retired his only batter in the inning before sitting down the side in the sixth.
Price threw seven innings in Thursday's series opener and lasted until the eighth before a late Rangers rally chased him with two outs in the inning. The lefty surrendered three runs on six hits over 50 pitches during his three innings of work en route to his first career playoff victory in the 8-4 win.
Dickey, meanwhile, allowed one run on five hits over 4 2/3 innings in his first career playoff start.
Acquired by the Blue Jays in a blockbuster deal at the trade deadline, Price was virtually unstoppable down the stretch, pitching to a 2.30 ERA over 11 starts for the AL East champions.
Despite Price's success, however, it appears the Blue Jays have transitioned to using him as a reliever for the remainder of the ALDS with left-hander Brett Cecil done for the season.
Price appeared to be warming up to pitch in Toronto's Game 3 victory, but never entered the contest after Troy Tulowitzki's three-run blast in the sixth put the game out of reach. Gibbons wasn't ready to take the same chance Monday.
The controversial decision to pitch Price in relief - for 50 pitches, no less - not only ensured young right-hander Marcus Stroman will get the Game 5 start in Toronto, it affected the left-hander's status for Wednesday's winner-take-all. After the Blue Jays' victory, Gibbons told reporters that Price will not be available out of the bullpen with his club's season on the line.
The 2012 Cy Young winner thrived out of the bullpen during the playoffs in his rookie season with the Rays, allowing just one earned run in 5 2/3 innings of relief in the 2008 ALCS and World Series.