David Price still struggles, but does enough to help Red Sox win

David Price's postseason struggles continued in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series, with the Red Sox left-hander giving up four runs in 4⅔ innings against the Astros on Sunday.

But he kept Boston in the game and when he was pulled in the fifth, the crowd at Fenway Park gave him a standing ovation. 

"It's definitely appreciated. It wasn't the line I dreamed up to have tonight," Price said. "But our offense, our defense rallied together. That's what we've done all year. Whenever our starters need to be picked up, they've picked us up and vice versa."

Boston gave its starter a lead to work with by scoring two runs in the bottom of the first, but Price gave up a two-out, two-run double against George Springer in the top of the second. In the third, Marwin Gonzalez hit a towering two-run homer over the Green Monster to temporarily put Houston in front 4-2.

Price bounced back to pitch a perfect fourth inning after Jackie Bradley Jr.'s three-run double gave Boston the lead in the bottom of the third. Price left with two outs in the fifth after issuing two walks, taking him out of the running for a win.

Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes would strand both runners, leaving Price with a final line of five hits, four earned runs, four walks and four strikeouts in 4⅔ innings.

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Sunday night marked the 11th postseason start of Price's career, and he was 0-9 with a 6.18 ERA across the first 10. It's a narrative that's defined the career of the 33-year-old, who came up with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2008 and has pitched for four teams in the postseason.