Price mows down Yanks in blowout

It didn’t matter how good Javier Vazquez was in his debut against the Rays. The night belonged to David Price.

Quick ‘Cap:
Price struck out seven over 7 2/3 innings in the Rays (3-1) 9-3 win over the Yankees (2-2). The Rays rallied for five runs in the fourth and added four more in the sixth (eight charged to Vazquez). Carlos Pena and Willy Aybar each launched two-run homers into the right field seats.

Alex Rodriguez hit a ball high off the wall in center to score Nick Johnson, who had singled, from first. Ex-Yankee catcher Dioner Navarro tried to nail Rodriguez at third, but his throw sailed into left field and Rodriguez came around to score. Johnson doubled home Derek Jeter in the eighth for the Yankees’ last run. Full box score here.

Thoughts:
Vazquez looked sharp for the first few innings, but he fell apart going through the order for the second time. Nobody’s pleased with his outing, but there’s no reason to jump to conclusions. Anyone remember CC Sabathia’s first start as a Yankee? 4 1/3 IP, 8 H, 6 R, 5 BB, 0 K and the loss to the Orioles. He wound up winning 19 games and a 3.37 ERA.

Line of the Night:
Price: W, 7 2/3 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 7 K. He looked very sharp in his 2010 debut. He threw 111 pitches (67 for strikes), which is a lot to ask for from a 24-year-old starter in April.

Up Next:
The Yankees will send out CC Sabathia to face No. 5 starter Wade Davis on Saturday at 3:10 p.m.