Price finally shakes playoff struggles with pennant-clinching win in Game 5

Facing the prospect of dropping to a career 0-10 in postseason starts, Boston Red Sox left-hander David Price dominated the Houston Astros in the biggest start of his career.

On three days rest, the 33-year-old set a new career high in strikeouts during a playoff start with nine over six shutout frames to earn his first career playoff win as a starting pitcher.

"One of the most special days I've ever had on a baseball field," Price said after the game, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. "Very special."

(Courtesy: MLB.com)

The Astros mustered all of three hits off Price before manager Alex Cora called on Matt Barnes out of the bullpen to start the seventh. Barnes took over on the mound with the Red Sox holding a 4-0 lead, and they ultimately held on to win 4-1.

Coming into Thursday's elimination game, Price owned a 6.16 ERA over 11 playoff starts. His only two playoff wins before Thursday had come during relief appearances in 2008 and 2015.

"I don't have to prepare myself for that in spring training, Feb. 20, or when September rolls around and I've still got five regular-season starts," Price said of his postseason woes, according to Chris Mason of The Eagle-Tribune. "I don't have to answer that question anymore so that feels good."

The brilliant start dropped Price's career playoff ERA (including his relief appearances) from 5.42 to 5.04.

Boston held a 3-1 lead in the American League Championship Series and tabbed Price on short rest to face the defending champions. Game 5 was originally slated to be Chris Sale's start, but the ace was hospitalized with an illness after Game 1 and was subsequently bumped in the rotation.

Sale will now start Tuesday's World Series opener at Fenway Park.