Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen dives but can't make the catch on a triple by Tampa Bay Rays' Ben Zobrist during the first inning of an interleague baseball game Wednesday, June 25, 2014, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara) (The Associated Press)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – David Price struck out 11, becoming the first pitcher in 10 years to fan at least 10 in five straight starts, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 on Wednesday.
Price (6-7) gave up five hits and one walk in 8 1-3 innings, leaving the game after Andrew McCutchen's home run in the ninth. The last pitcher with five straight starts of 10 strikeouts was Minnesota's Johan Santana from June 20-July 11, 2004.
Price also set a franchise record for strikeouts in a month with 54. He went 2-3 in five June starts.
Ben Zobrist's RBI triple highlighted the Rays' three-run first inning off Charlie Morton. Desmond Jennings and James Loney had singles, and Kevin Kiermaier drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Morton (4-9) struck out a career-high 11 in seven innings, giving up four hits.
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