Price lifts Boston to World Series title

NASHVILLE – David Price’s 11-year Major League career has been stocked with individual honors. On Sunday night, the former Vanderbilt pitcher – best known for his team-oriented nature – helped bring home the accolade he’ll covet the most.
 
Drawing his second start and third appearance overall of the World Series, Price limited the Los Angeles Dodgers to one run across seven innings and earned the victory as the Boston Red Sox captured their ninth Fall Classic all-time with a 5-1 win at Dodger Stadium.
 
The left-hander became the eighth pitcher in MLB postseason history to secure the win in both the pennant-clinching League Championship Series (LCS) game and title-clinching World Series game. His final performance only solidified his redefined postseason reputation.
 
“He’s got it in here,” said Red Sox starter Rick Porcello, patting his chest. “He’s got a big heart. That was as good as it gets. I’m speechless. That was an absolutely stunning performance.”
 
Price was 2-0 with a 1.98 ERA against the Dodgers, beating them in Game 2, collecting two outs in relief in Game 3 and then beating them again with seven dazzling innings in Game 5.
 
The former No. 1 overall draft pick became the first pitcher since Hall of Famer John Smoltz in 1996 to allow fewer than seven hits while pitching at least 13 2/3 innings in a World Series. The effort came during his first appearance in the Fall Classic since his 2008 rookie year.
 
Adding to the exclusivity of his October dominance, the Murfreesboro, Tenn., native also became the first pitcher to clinch two consecutive series against Cy Young winners – Justin Verlander (Houston Astros) and Clayton Kershaw – in the same postseason.
 
In total, an SEC-best 13 former Vanderbilt players made an MLB appearance in 2018 including four postseason appearances. The Dodgers, who fell 4-games-to-1 in the World Series, secured their lone victory with Commodore Walker Buehler making the start.
 
“A lot,” Price said of what the victory means. “I mean, this is a game we get to play, and it’s the relationships that you make while you do this. That’s what makes this game so special.”