Rays 5, Pirates 1
David Price struck out 11 and took a shutout into the ninth inning as Tampa Bay defeated visiting Pittsburgh to salvage the finale of a three-game interleague series.
Price (6-7) allowed one run and five hits over 8 1/3 innings, and became the first pitcher in the majors to record double-digit strikeouts in five consecutive starts since Minnesota’s Johan Santana in 2004. Kevin Kiermaier knocked in two runs while Ben Zobrist and James Loney each had two hits and an RBI for the Rays.
Andrew McCutchen ended Price’s shutout bid with a solo blast to right field in the ninth and extended the Pirates’ home run streak to a season-high six games. Pittsburgh starter Charlie Morton (4-9) struck out a career-high 11 over seven innings, yielding three runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk.
The Rays sent eight men to the plate in the first inning as Desmond Jennings led off with a single and came home when Zobrist tripled off the glove of a diving McCutchen in center field. Zobrist scored on Evan Longoria’s grounder that turned into an error and Kiermaier’s sacrifice fly made it 3-0.
Jennings made an outstanding running catch on Neil Walker in front of the center-field wall with two runners on to end a threat in the seventh. Loney’s RBI single to left field off Jason Grilli extended Tampa Bay’s lead in the eighth and Kiermaier knocked in another with a bunt single.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Price has 54 strikeouts in June, passing Scott Kazmir (50 in August, 2007) for the club record in any month. … Pirates LF Starling Marte, who left Tuesday’s game after sliding head first into Tampa Bay 2B Sean Rodriguez on a steal attempt, reportedly passed concussion tests but was held out the lineup Wednesday. … The Rays finished 9-12 during a stretch in which they played 18 of the last 21 games at home. … Pittsburgh's Josh Harrison started at second base, third base and left field in the series.