Rays’ Price eyes breakthrough

Associated Press

st. petersburg, fla.

David Price is thankful to have another shot at Texas in the playoffs.

A postseason disappointment a year ago when he lost twice in the opening round to the only AL opponent he’s never beaten, the young Tampa Bay pitcher will get a chance to redeem himself today.

He goes against right-hander Colby Lewis in Game 3 of the AL division series between the Rays and Rangers.

The teams are tied 1-1 after splitting two games in Texas.

The Rays say they’re comfortable putting the ball in Price’s hand, even though the hard-throwing lefty hasn’t won in more than a month and was 0-2 with a 4.97 ERA in a pair of losses at home to Cliff Lee in the 2010 ALDS.

“It’s pretty unique ... a good opportunity for me to have,” Price said Sunday, conceding that his lack of success against the AL West champions is not easy to shove to the back of his mind.

The 25-year-old is 0-3 with a 5.67 ERA in six career regular season starts against Texas, including a 3-0 loss to Lewis and the Rangers at Tropicana Field on June 1.

“It is something that I think about and something that I want to get over with,” Price said. “I am not intimidated by this lineup by any means or anything like that. It is a very good offensive lineup, and they make it tough to pitch.

“But it’s postseason baseball, and you have to be able to step up and make some pitches for your team.”

The Rangers lost the series opener 8-0 to rookie Matt Moore, but bounced back to beat Rays ace James Shields 8-6 in Game 2. Lewis is 3-0 in four career starts against Tampa Bay, and also worked five scoreless innings of a no decision against the Rays in Game 3 of last year’s ALDS.