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 The capture of Price came two days after a trade with the Colorado
Rockies took shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and right-handed reliever
LaTroy Hawkins to the club, who hope the new recruits will help them
go deep into the playoffs.
Early indications suggest the team have responded positively with
catcher Dioner Navarro blasting a two-run homer in the second inning
to give the Blue Jays a lead they never relinquished.
"It's exciting, it doesn't get any better than that," Navarro said.
"They've been doing a great work in the front office and we're
excited with what we've got."
Designated hitter Russell Martin and third baseman Josh Donaldson
added solo shots for the Blue Jays.
The Royals' two runs were scored off Marco Estrada (8-6) in the
first inning and the right-hander allowed three hits, walked none
and struck out three in 5 2/3 innings.
"I thought before we made the moves we were a really good team and
we just got better," Estrada said. "Adding LaTroy, Tulowitzki and
now David Price. That's pretty incredible... we're all pretty
excited."
The loss in the opener of a four-game series was the second in a row
for the Royals (61-40) while the Blue Jays (52-51) won their second
straight.
The Royals took the lead in first inning on a two-run double by
designated hitter Kendrys Morales after center fielder Lorenzo Cain
was hit by a pitch and first baseman Eric Hosmer singled.
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"Even in the first, I thought I made some decent pitches," said
Estrada, who then retired 15 batters in a row before allowing a
single to Cain with two out in the sixth.
The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the first after
Tulowitzki was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, took third on
a double by Donaldson and scored on a sacrifice fly by right fielder
Jose Bautista.
Toronto then took a 3-2 lead in the second on the third homer of the
season by Navarro following a leadoff single by center fielder Kevin
Pillar.
Martin hit his 15th homer of the season on a 2-0 fastball with one
out in the third to stretch the lead and Donaldson made it 5-2 with
his 25th homer of the season, hitting a curveball into the second
deck on the left with two outs in the fourth.
(Editing by John O'Brien)
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