August 14, 2008 Rays' Price figures to factor in stretch run Play video

(NECN/ABC) - You remember the late seasons boosts that rookies Jonathan Papelbon and Clay Buchholz gave the Red Sox pitching staff in seasons past. Some believe the Tampa Bay Rays will use hot pitching prospect David Price in the same manner as they stride toward making the playoffs.

The 2007 #1 overall pick is likely to be a September call-up, after going 11-0 in his first 15 professional starts.

Whether as a reliever or a starter, Price figures to be an electric arm for the Rays. Imagine him going left-on-lefty against David Ortiz.

The hype did soften a bit, though, as Price suffered his first professional loss Wednesday night in his debut with the Triple-A Durham Bulls. Price allowed three runs over four innings of work, giving up seven hits and striking out six.