Price worked his way into the Reds' starting rotation in 1983 after three seasons as a reliever, and was the NL Pitcher of the Month in July with a 5-0, 1.24 record. He finished the season 10-6, 2.88, but slipped to 7-13 the following year before encountering elbow problems in 1985. He tied a NL record by striking out six consecutive Phillies in relief on May 8, 1985, but went on the DL in July with a sore elbow and had surgery to remove a calcium deposit in September.
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Price struggled in 1986, spending two more months on the DL, and in 1987 signed as a free agent with the Giants. After starting the season 6-0 at Phoenix (Pacific Coast League), Price joined the Giants in July, and later won Game Five of the NLCS against the Cardinals with five shutout innings of relief (one hit, six strikeouts) to help San Francisco to a 3-2 series lead. He was 1-6 with four saves in 1988, and in 1989 pitched for the Red Sox. The next year he pitched fairly well, but further injuries caused him to retire. (SCL/JT)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 31, 1982: The Phils outbrawl the Reds to win 5–4 in 13 innings. Mario Soto holds the Phils to one hit, while hitting two himself -- Bob Dernier and Mike Schmidt -- on successive pitches in the 6th. In the 7th, Ron Reed plunks Soto, who starts for the mound with his bat. He restrained, but Dave Concepcion steps in landing punches to Reed. All three are tossed and Reds reliever Joe Price allows no hits in the 7th and 8th but is pounded for four runs in the 9th. The Phils plate a run off Bob Shirley in the 13th to win.
»July 8, 1982:
For the 2nd day in a row, the Reds enter the 9th trailing the Pirates. Today, they turn a 4–2 deficit into an 8–4 lead, scoring six in the top of the 9th. The Pirates answer with a 2-run homer by Willie Stargell and a 3-run double by Jason Thompson off Joe Price, and win, 9–8.
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