David Price Throws Complete Game One Hitter and Loses

Detroit Tigers pitcher David Price returned to St. Petersburg and faced his former team for the first time since being traded in July. Price won a Cy Young Award during one of his seven seasons as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays, and was a big part of the team’s conversion from basement dweller to playoff contender. It was, no doubt, an emotional moment when he took to the mound on August 21st to face his old teammates.

Price was outstanding, allowing just one hit and no walks, retiring the last 23 batters he faced and pitched a complete game. Unfortunately for Price, the one hit was a triple by Brandon Guyer, who drove in Ben Zobrist, who had reached on a throwing error. It was the only run of the game, and Price had a rare complete game one hit loss.

Three Tampa Bay pitchers, led by starter and winning pitcher Alex Cobb, shut down the vaunted Tiger offense, allowing just four hits. Detroit and its big name roster continues to struggle. The Tigers were a a game and a half behind Kansas City after the games of August 21st. The Royals are showing no signs of fading, so Detroit’s post season hopes may focus on wrestling with the Seattle Mariners for the last American League Wild Card slot.