The most important numbers at the end of a baseball game are the score and on Thursday night that was Red Sox 11, Astros 1.

But 95, as in miles-per-hour, was perhaps just as significant a number on this night.

David Price was able to throw his fastball that hard several times in what was a pivotal start for the lefthander. Improved velocity and location led to Price striking out 12 and holding down an Astros team that arrived at Fenway Park having won six of its last nine games.

Price struck out every Houston hitter at least once and allowed one run, his fewest in a start this season. He retired the final eight batters he faced, five by strikeout.

“He was powerful, probably as much as we’ve seen all year,’’ manager John Farrell said.

It would be inaccurate to suggest one game fixed every problem, but it was a significant step in the right direction for a pitcher the Red Sox are counting on.

“It was fun playing behind him tonight, that’s for sure,’’ said center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr. after the Red Sox won their fifth straight.

“I never had any doubts. He locked them down. That’s why David is one of the best pitchers in the game. All we need is for him to be himself, that’s it.’’

Until Thursday, Price was Price only on occasion this season. He allowed 12 runs on 15 hits over 11? innings in his previous two starts, jacking his earned run average up to 6.75.

With the aid of a suggestion by teammate Dustin Pedroia, Price changed the mechanics to improve the timing of his delivery.

It involved raising his hands, which allowed Price to get the ball out of his glove quicker and stay back on the rubber to generate better torque with his lower body.

Price referred to it as his “power position’’ and the proof of that was in the velocity and life of his fastball. Price averaged just over 93 miles per hour, his best this season, and spiked at 94 and 95.

That helped make his secondary pitches more effective and left the Houston hitters flailing.

“It’s something I’ve worked on the last four days leading up to this start. It was a big key for me,’’ Price said.

Price (5-1) allowed one run on six hits and one walk and left the game in the seventh inning to a standing ovation from a crowd of 34,982 that understood the importance of the game. He touched the brim of his cap as he approached the dugout.

“That’s a big reason why I came here. I know it’s one of the toughest places to play but the best place to play and win,’’ Price said.

Offensively, it was another joyride for the Sox, who have scored a remarkable 51 runs on 62 hits in their last four games. They have scored in 21 of 32 innings on this homestand.

“We’re getting after it,’’ Farrell said. “Guys are locked in for all phases of the offense. We’re in a good stretch; that goes without saying. It’s relentlessness up and down the lineup.’’

Houston lefthander Dallas Keuchel, the American League Cy Young Award winner last season, made only his second career start against the Red Sox and it did not go well.

Keuchel (2-5) allowed eight runs on 10 hits over six innings. He was more competitive than the Oakland starters were earlier this week, but not by much.

Pedroia singled in the first inning and scored when Xander Bogaerts thumped a slider over the wall in left for his third home run.

Christian Vazquez drew a walk in the second inning, alertly took second on a pitch in the dirt and scored when Bradley grounded a single up the middle.

That extended Bradley’s hit streak to 18 games, matching the longest in the majors this season. He was 2 for 4 and is hitting .328.

Back-to-back doubles by David Ortiz and Hanley Ramirez produced another run in the third inning. Chris Young added to a productive week with an RBI single off the wall, the ball hit so hard he had to stay at first base.

Vazquez and Bradley had one-out singles in the sixth inning, Keuchel dropping a chopper back to the mound off the bat off Bradley. Betts followed with a home run to left field. It was his sixth of the season.

The eight earned runs were the second-most allowed by Keuchel in his career.

The Sox have scored 11 or more runs in four consecutive games for the first time since 1950. The last major league team to do that were the 2007 Atlanta Braves.

“This is kind of like a PlayStation, you know? I don’t think PlayStation scores this much runs,’’ Bogaerts said. “But it’s reality and we’re doing it in our hometown and our home park and our fans are definitely loving it.’’

Peter Abraham can be reached at pabraham@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @PeteAbe.