Rays 2, Reds 1: Matt Joyce homered among his two hits and David Price took a shutout into the ninth as visiting Tampa Bay claimed the opener of a three-game series in Cincinnati.

The Rays continued their offensive struggles — they've scored only eight runs in their last five games — but Price (2-0) didn't need much support. The left-hander struck out 10 and surrendered just four hits before departing after Joey Votto's solo shot to left with one out in the ninth.

Price outdueled Johnny Cueto (0-2), who gave up two runs on five hits over seven innings and struck out six. Grant Balfour loaded the bases with three walks in the ninth before striking out pinch hitter Brayan Pena for his third save.

Price retired six straight before Devin Mesoraco's leadoff double in the third. The Reds threatened in the fourth, when Brandon Phillips led off with a double and Votto drew a walk, but Price notched two straight strikeouts and got Todd Frazier to fly out to end the threat.

Cueto walked two in the first inning to set up Evan Longoria's RBI single through the left side, and the Rays tacked on another run when Joyce blasted a 1-1 pitch to right to lead off the third. That was all the scoring until Votto tagged an 0-1 fastball over the wall in left to break up the shutout and chase Price.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Votto snapped a 2-for-19 skid with his ninth-inning homer and doubled his season RBI total from one to two. … Cincinnati LF Ryan Ludwick was 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. … Rays CF Desmond Jennings made a leaping catch on the warning track to rob Phillips of extra bases in the first inning.