The Yankees Just Absolutely Teed Off On David Price

The last two months had been pretty solid for Red Sox pitcher David Price. After one brutal showing against the Rangers on May 3 (seven earned runs, 3.2 IP), he hadn’t allowed more than three earned runs in any of his past nine starts, and had a 2.72 ERA over that period. Then Price was completely lit up by the Yankees Sunday night.

The Red Sox starter was chased from the game after 3 1/3 innings after he served up five demoralizing dongs. Two of those were to center fielder Aaron Hicks (who finished the game with three homers). One of those was Yankees catcher Kyle Higashioka’s first major-league hit, and it went into the second deck. As you can see in the photo above, the Bronx creatures gave Price a standing ovation when he walked off the mound.

Yanks starter Luis Severino only allowed two hits and three walks in six-plus innings, but even Sonny Gray could’ve won this game. (Probably.) New York had a 9-0 lead by the end of the fourth inning and won 11-1. Price made mildly interesting history with the number of meatballs he served up. And now, it’s time to recall Price’s joke from last week when he was asked whether he’d be ready to face the Yankees:

That’s a funny joke. (Price made a similar in early June when asked about possibly pitching in the All-Star Game.) Of course, he’ll catch shit for it because his record against the Yankees this season is now, in order: chased after four earned runs in one inning; scratched due to carpal tunnel syndrome; chased after eight ER in three-plus. Price could have really bad luck, or something about the Red Sox’s biggest rivals makes him itchy.