David Price pitches great, Detroit Tigers still lose to Tampa Bay Rays

Detroit’s struggles continue. When the offense performs, the pitching staff cannot, and when the pitching staff and bullpen performs, the offense struggles. In David Price’s first game against his former team on Thursday, the Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit lost 1-0 after Price pitched eight innings giving up just one hit and no earned runs while striking out nine.

More from Detroit Tigers

• MLB standings ordered by hard hit rate: Struggling Cardinals still cracking bats
• MLB rumors: Justin Verlander buzz, Astros target All-Star, Reds-White Sox deal
• Tigers young star takes vicious shot at Royals pitcher over sticky stuff allegations
• Immaculate Grid baseball: Answers, connections, hints for Grid 105 (July 16)
• Immaculate Grid baseball: Answers, connections, hints for Grid 102 (July 13)

After a throwing error by Eugenio Suarez in the first inning that allowed Ben Zobrist to reach first safety, Rays left fielder, Brandon Guyer tripled and scored Zobrist. This was the only hit that Price allowed the entire game.

This game from Sportscenter’s twitter after Price’s seventh innning.

While Price was absolutely dealing, Detroit couldn’t get their offense on the board, getting just four hits and leaving six runners on base.

With the loss, David Price sits at 12-9 on the season with a 3.00 ERA and 221 strikeouts. Since joining the Tigers Aug. 1, Price has pitched four games allowing 17 hits, nine runs (eight earned) and has had 32 strikeouts.

Before joining Detroit, Price spent six and half years with the Tampa Bay Rays where he won a Cy Young in 2012 with a 2.56 ERA. In his seven years in the MLB, Price has only gone over a 3.50 ERA in one season.

Detroit has added another Cy Young pitcher to their roster making three, but they haven’t improved as a team. They now trail Kansas City by two games in the AL Central and leads Seattle by only a half game for the second wild card position.