Price doesn’t change the narrative

CLEVELAND — In happier times — and it’s hard not to be happy when you’re at a news conference announcing your $217 million contract — David Price made light of his postseason past, which has famously been littered with potholes.

“I was just saving all my postseason wins for the Red Sox,” he had said, flashing that endearing smile of his.

These were not happy times Friday night at Progressive Field. This was a night when the lifeless Boston bats, the hands of October fate and a regrettable pitch to Lonnie Chisenhall combined to hand Price yet another postseason defeat. And in the aftermath of a 6-0 loss that puts the Sox in an 0-2 hole in a best-of-five American League Division Series headed for Fenway (Game 3 is at 4 p.m. ET Sunday on TBS), the only narrative that trumps the talk about Price’s odd October résumé is the one about David Ortiz’s storied career ending on a sour note.

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 6   CLE 5, BOS 4 Gm 2 Oct. 7   CLE 6, BOS 0 Gm 3 Oct. 9 4 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 4 Oct. 10 6 p.m. CLE @ BOS TBS *Gm 5 Oct. 12 6 or 8 p.m. BOS @ CLE TBS *- If necessary | All times listed ETShop for postseason gear: Red Sox | Indians • Red Sox vs. Indians ALDS coverage

“We’re getting our [you-know-whats] beat,” Ortiz said.

No butts about it.

Against that backdrop, Price’s lack of postseason victories was of course brought up again, this time with the left-hander now sporting a 5.57 ERA in 15 career appearances (nine starts) on this stage.

“I’ve got two wins [in the postseason],” he said, helpfully correcting the reporter who asked him the inevitable question. “Just not as a starter.”

Oh, OK. So much for saving them up for the Red Sox.

But the Red Sox obviously didn’t pay Price a king’s ransom for his postseason relief prowess.

On this night, Price was supposed to be their ace, as intended. He was supposed to salvage a road split, make it a brand new series bound for Boston, elevate his position in postseason …

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