The left-hander now returns to his home mound, where he’s gone 3-0 with a 2.42 ERA in 12 starts since losing his first outing of the season April 10.
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“I was prepared to sit in there for an hour”, Price said of the opening frame.
Another great start from David Price. Given how much season remains, there’s nothing too significant there, but as manager John Gibbons noted before the game, a run like the one they just had by any of the other contenders can really shake the standings up.
Los Angeles (63-58) trails Toronto (66-55) for the top wild-card spot – a three-game lead that can be erased over the weekend.
“How do you put a price on the company name being up on the scoreboard?” he said. I actually struggled with getting good offers when I was signing as a professional coming out of high school in the Dominican, which normally isn’t a problem when you’re a good athlete. Salas pitching. Bautista grounded out, shortstop Aybar to first baseman Cron.
Price did not allow a hit until the fifth, when Cron led off with a double and he scored on Chris Iannetta’s double. “(Price) gets that edge. It was his first error in 113 games, dating to August 14, 2013.
The first inning was the kind of inning that would not have been so surprising for Santiago a year ago. He has allowed 150 hits in 168.1 innings pitched and sports a WHIP of 1.09.
“If ROI was the only thing dictating this, I think the money you could derive from selling the Blue Jays could probably be used somewhere else in a cable company”, he said.
“I’m trying to be a little patient at the plate and looking for my pitch”, said Encarnacion. “It’s important for us to show up day in and day out, and do our best to win that game”. I wasn’t allowed to play or go out with my friends without doing my homework.
Santiago made 48 pitches in the first inning alone, signaling he was in for a short night. He walked four of his first six batters, including Russell Martin with the bases loaded.
The offense got off to a quick start, scoring 3 in the first inning, helped along by 4 walks given out by Angels starter Hector Santiago and a Shane Victorino error in left. Donaldson finished the night 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs. The Angels have scored five runs in their last three games and three or less runs in six of their last eight.
NOTES: Angels rookie third baseman Kaleb Cowart is hitless in 10 at-bats over three games since being promoted by Los Angeles …
“The fans are insane now, and rightfully so”, said Miller, who finally threw another slider past a swinging Tulowitzki to end the game. If the Jays are going to make a deep run, all pressure will be on Price to spearhead this attack.
Toronto put the game out of reach in the top of the seventh, thanks to a two-run home run by Justin Smoak off Jose Alvarez. Cron also dropped an earlier popup for an error.
NOTES: Angels 2B Johnny Giavotella left the ballpark before the game because he was feeling sick. 3B David Freese starts a rehab assignment with Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday in his comeback from a broken finger.
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Toronto looks to win a third straight matchup as it sends Marco Estrada (10-7, 3.20) to the hill.
