Red Sox’s Price snaps 3-start losing streak

David Price didn’t show much rust in his return from a sore wrist.

Price pitched 5 1/3 innings to win his first start since being diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome, Hanley Ramirez hit a two-run home run and the Boston Red Sox beat the Blue Jays 5-2 on Saturday in Toronto.

“It was good to get back out there,” Price said. “The more I threw, the better I felt. To me, that’s always a good sign.”

Price came in 0-3 in his previous three outings but avoided the first four-start skid of his career.

Price (3-4) skipped Wednesday’s start against the Yankees after experiencing numbness during a bullpen session last Sunday. Making his first start in nine days, the left-hander allowed two runs and five hits. He walked three and struck out six.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he liked what he saw.

“Changing speeds, using the breaking ball, elevating fastballs, that was good to see,” Cora said.

NATIONALS 2, DIAMONDBACKS 1 >> Stephen Strasburg (5-3) struck out nine in 6 2/3 innings in Phoenix, and the Nationals earned their third straight win against the NL West leaders. Strasburg allowed one run and five hits in Washington’s sixth win in seven games. The Nationals stranded 11 baserunners, but Bryce Harper and Anthony Rendon each drove in a run. INDIANS 6, ROYALS 2 >> Francisco Lindor homered twice and doubled twice to power host Cleveland to the victory. Lindor also scored four times. His third career four-hit game extended the All-Star shortstop’s hitting streak to 13 games. Cleveland’s Michael Brantley had three hits and broke a 2-all tie with an RBI double in the sixth. ORIOLES 6-3, RAYS 3-10 >> In the opener, David Hess pitched six effective innings for Baltimore in his major league debut and Jonathan Schoop hit two home runs in a 6-3 victory.