Red Sox on the brink and David Price makes a quick exit
HOUSTON — David Price bolted out of the visiting clubhouse at Minute Maid Park on Friday before the media was allowed in and even before the equipment was being shuttled out for the trip back to Boston.
Price was in no mood to talk after the Red Sox were bounced 8-2 in Game 2 of the ALDS by the Astros, the same score as in their Game 1 loss.
The way the Red Sox are playing, that equipment can head straight to Florida. One more loss and their season is over. Those Red Sox who stayed to face the media music were pretty much shell-shocked over what has happened the first two games. Game 3 is Sunday at Fenway Park, and now the Red Sox are looking at having to win three straight against the Astros.
Once again, the Red Sox’s starting pitching was terrible.
Lefty Drew Pomeranz made it through only two innings, allowing four runs on five hits, two of them home runs. He followed Chris Sale’s abysmal performance in Game 1, in which the lefty surrendered nine hits, seven runs and three home runs. So the Red Sox have gotten just seven innings out of their starters the first two games, and they have allowed 11 runs. The two lefties were rocked. On Friday, Houston’s Carlos Correa started the onslaught with a two-run home run in the first.
“Honestly I think I just made one bad pitch in the beginning, the pitch to Correa,” Pomeranz said. “They hit some pretty good pitches. They’ve had a good lineup all year. You have to make pitches.”
Price was effective in his 2 ²/₃ innings of relief and came in to get out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam, but that is the kind of effort the Red Sox could use from a starter. Price has been placed in the bullpen because he is on a 40-pitch limit after coming back from the disabled list in mid-September after left elbow problems.
John Farrell was asked if he would consider having Price make a short start. Doug Fister is going in the win-or-go-home game Sunday at Fenway Park.
“It wouldn’t be on Sunday,” Farrell said. “I think that what we’re seeing is 40 pitches is about the comfort zone, which he’s been built out at. He’s throwing the ball very well. He comes in with his back against the wall in a key spot, gets two big outs to end the threat, he’s throwing the ball very, very well.Cutter to both sides of the plate, has shown a feel for a changeup, full assortment of pitches that he typically has. He’s done a very good job.”
Price is about the only Boston pitcher to have success against the Astros.
Farrell heaped praise on the Astros hitters.
“The one thing that they have done, they have not missed when we missed in terms of pitch location,” he said. “They’re very good, they’re deep, and they have got a number of ways to beat you. So we fully respect and understood the opponent, and they’re playing like that.”
The Red Sox, meanwhile, are playing like a team ready to go home quickly.