Red Sox Split Doubleheader With Rays, David Price Strikes Out 10 In Win

Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports

The Red Sox improved to 1-2 in their weekend series against the Rays, splitting a doubleheader on Saturday. Boston lost 9-2 in the first game, followed by a 5-1 win, in which David Price struck out 10 in six solid innings to improve to 4-2.

Price had himself a night. □ pic.twitter.com/GDX26trenx

— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) June 9, 2019

Price is now unbeaten in his last six starts dating back to April 27. His 10 strikeouts in the game tied a season-high, which came on April 21—also against the Rays.

Michael Chavis and Marco Hernandez (who played both ends of the doubleheader for his first MLB games in over two years) each recorded two-run doubles to back Price, coming in the third and fifth innings, respectively.

Brandon Workman, Marcus Walden, and Matt Barnes each fired a scoreless inning to close out the win.

Josh Smith started the first game for Boston, taking the loss as he allowed four earned runs (all in the second inning) in four innings. For Smith, it was his fifth game and second start this season, as he's now 0-2.

Mike Shawaryn fired two scoreless innings for his second game in as many days, the first of which was his MLB debut; Shawaryn struck out three and now has seven through two appearances with an .077 batting average-against (1-for-13).

Boston's record after the doubleheader was 34-31, while Tampa Bay's was 39-24. The Rays' record is now the same as the Yankees for a first-place tie in the AL East, with the Red Sox sitting six games back and seven in the loss column.

The Red Sox will look to split the weekend series with a win this afternoon, as Eduardo Rodriguez (6-3, 4.88 ERA) takes the mound for his 13th start of the year against defending Cy Young winner Blake Snell (3-5, 3.68 ERA).