December 30, 2016

Classic Baseball - Price Check; Complete Game Shutout


A monumental playoff hurdle was cleared by Red Sox starter David Price as he finally delivered in a decisive manner by blanking the '84 Detroit Tigers 4-0 in a pivotal Game 3 of the ALDS at Fenway Park. Price was never really in any danger throughout the contest, scattering 8 singles while striking out 5. His 114 pitch complete game shutout puts the Red Sox on the brink of clinching the series at home as they now lead 2 games to 1.



A grand piano was lifted from Price's back with his effort as can be attested with his previous 2-8 career playoff record with a gaudy 5.54 ERA. His last playoff win came in the 2015 ALDS against the Texas Rangers as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays. He picked up that victory in relief as Toronto led 7-1 when he entered the game. He gave up 6 hits and 3 runs in his 3 inning relief stint which further supported Jays' manager John Gibbons decision to burn Price out and hand the ball to Marcus Stroman in the decisive fifth game. Toronto went on to defeat Texas in Game 5 after being down in the series 0-2.

Another struggling playoff performer, Andrew Benintendi gave Price all the run support he'd need in the second inning, slamming an opposite field 2 run homer to left to open the scoring. Benintendi had been batting 1-10 in the first two games from the leadoff spot and was dropped to seventh in the batting order in Game 3. In the following frame, Hanley Ramirez belted a solo shot of his own. It would be one of two hits for Hanley and would, in turn, boost his batting average to .363 in the series. Keith Moreland drilled a RBI double to extend the lead to the eventual final score and raise his average to an even .300 in the series. Tigers' starter Milt Wilcox would only survive one more inning before getting the hook. He allowed 4 runs on 7 hits and walked 2 batters.

Eduardo Rodriguez will look to provide a series clinching effort in Game 4. Detroit has yet to announce their starter, but it is expected that they will look to staff ace Jack Morris to get the Tigers back to Comerica Park for a fifth game on short rest. Morris pitched well in Detroit's Game 1 loss, giving up only 2 runs on 4 hits. Morris was not involved in the decision.

The highlights  are below and to get caught up on this series check out the recaps for Game 1 and Game 2.



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