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AL Cy Young: David Price wins tight vote over Justin Verlander

Justin Verlander's bid for a second consecutive Cy Young Award fell short, as he lost to David Price in one of the closest races in Cy Young history.

By JP Starkey
Doug Pensinger

Justin Verlander fell short in his bid to become the first American League pitcher to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards since Pedro Martinez, as Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price was named the 2012 AL Cy Young Award winner on Wednesday.

The vote between Verlander and Price was the second-closest vote ever, with Price receiving 14 first-place votes compared to Verlander's 13. Verlander finished just four points behind Price in the voting, with 149 compared to Price's 153.

Price finished the season with a 20-5 record, a 2.56 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 205 strikeouts in 211 innings of work. Price ranked first in the American League with his 20 wins and 2.56 ERA, but ranked third in the American League in fWAR at 5.1.

Verlander finished the season ranked first in the American League in innings pitched (238 1/3), complete games (six) and strikeouts (239). Verlander also finished first in the American League in fWAR among starting pitchers at 6.8. Verlander finished the season with a 17-8 record, 2.64 ERA and 1.06 WHIP.