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Price Looks Like An Ace, But Never Satisfied

BOSTON (CBS) -- David Price was back to looking like an ace on Thursday night, but the lefty is determined to make sure the David Price who took the mound against the Astros is the one the Red Sox will get the rest of the way.

Price shook off a shaky start and allowed just one run over 6.2 innings of work, striking out 12 Astros in an 11-1 Boston victory. After giving up back-to-back hits to start the outing, Price allowed just four hits and one walk the rest of the way, recording his first six outs by way of the K.

He surrendered his only run in the second inning, allowing Houston to cut the lead to 2-1, but got out of a potential jam with ease. With one out and runners on the corners, Price struck out Jose Altuve and George Springer, both looking, to end the threat.

Price spent the days leading up to Thursday's start working on a mechanical flaw pointed out by second baseman Dustin Pedroia, a faulty leg lift that he believed played into his decreased velocity. He hit mostly 93 and 94 mph on the radar gun, with some readings of 95 mph along the way, and looked to get stronger as the night progressed. He struck out the side in the fifth inning, with all three coming on swing and misses. He set the Astros down in order in the sixth, one of his two perfect innings on the evening, and he walked off the mound to a standing ovation after striking out Jake Marisnick, another K on a swing and a miss.

"I was able to get into my power position and that is something I've worked on the last four days leading up to this start," Price told reporters after the game. "It was a big key for me."

He said the mechanical change he worked on prior to the start played a big role in the increased velocity he displayed throughout the outing. Price enjoyed success with all of his pitches Thursday night, with his fastball setting up his change up while mixing in a solid curve.

Manager John Farrell said Price was much more crisp with the finish to his delivery, and it paid off in a big way.

"He had better separation between his fastball and change up. When he is throwing his curve for strikes, that's a good sign your delivery is in order," said Farrell. "He got some key strikeouts with men in scoring position. Very good outing tonight."

Price improved to 5-1 on the season with the win, lowering his ERA to 6.00. While he's pleased with Thursday night's results, he's not ready to say all has been fixed.

"I'm never over the hump; that's for guys who are satisfied. I'm not a guy who is ever satisfied," said Price. "The one thing I want to do coming into the season is stay healthy and stay consistent. I haven't been consistent yet. Today was a good day, but in five days I want to go out there and build on it."

He'll get his first chance to build off his best start of the season Tuesday night against the defending world champion Kansas City Royals.

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