Price sets Blue Jays' playoff record before unraveling

David Price promised that good things were coming, and the Toronto Blue Jays left-hander certainly delivered in Game 2 of the ALCS.

At least, he did for six innings.

The American League Cy Young candidate cruised through the first six frames against the Kansas City Royals on Saturday, and made some Blue Jays history in the process.

Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar hit a leadoff single to start the game, but after that, Price retired 18 straight batters - striking out seven in the process.

"The guy's still nasty. He's featuring some nasty stuff, so I don't even know how to explain that, honestly," Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer told reporters.

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

Price's dominant run helped him break the previous franchise record set by Jimmy Key in 1992, when the fellow southpaw retired 16 straight.

Ben Zobrist broke up Price's streak with a single to start the seventh inning after Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins misjudged a popup, allowing the Royals to rally.

Kansas City scored four runs off Price before manager John Gibbons went to his bullpen with two outs and a runner on second in the seventh. Right-hander Aaron Sanchez allowed a run to score the following at-bat, officially closing the book on Price's afternoon.

"It was unfortunate," Gibbons said following the game. "You really can't pitch a better game to that point anyway and he did a helluva job. Sometimes that one little crack, when you're on the road, can open up the floodgates."

With the loss, Price became the second pitcher in postseason history to lose seven consecutive starts, tying him with Randy Johnson.

"David was so good tonight it's a shame it had to end that way," Gibbons said.