PRICE MASTERFUL AS FIREBIRDS CLOSE IN ON SERIES

Somehow, BARB’s winning percentage leader was just the third pitcher for his team in the playoffs. But David Price, an astonishing 17-2 in the regular season (to go along with a 2.84 ERA), was masterful once again, dominating the Friars on the road in St. Francis, and pushing Yuma to the brink of the World Series.

After a tough game two (0-for-4), Rafael Furcal immediately got the squad in gray uniforms started with a single and stolen base off St. Francis starter Shawn Marcum. The Firebirds continued excellent small ball, as Nick Markakis moved the speedy Furcal over on a groundout and Ryan Braun plated him on a sacrifice fly.

YUMA 1, ST. FRANCIS 0!

Runners continued reaching for both sides in the next few innings, but none came across. Yuma posed the greatest threat in the fourth, loading the bases with one out, but Price stepped up and grounded into a double play.

Yuma held the lead into the sixth. Martin Prado led off and singled, and he came home as Shane Victorino tripled to the right-center gap. That was enough for Marcum, as Rafael Betancourt entered and immediately got Rod Barajas to pop out and bring up Price. This time, Price put one through the left side of the infield to easily score Victorino. Price advanced on a wild pitch and came around to help his own cause on a Furcal single.

YUMA 4, ST. FRANCIS 0!

From his box, Scott Hatfield cringed at the latest turn of events, though just an inning later Martin Prado stuck another dagger in the heart of the Friars with a bomb to left-center. Aaron Cunningham (AARON CUNNINGHAM????) pulled St. Francis back within “slam range” with a solo shot of his own in a pinch-hitting appearance in the bottom of the seventh, but it was the only run of the game for the hosts. Yuma took the 5-1 win and, in the process, inched closer to another taste of the World Series.

David Price’s final line: 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 4 K and an uncharacteristic five walks.