On Wednesday night, the Boston Red Sox needed a break from their losing streak. And Tanner Houck stepped up to deliver just that, pitching a complete game shutout in just 94 pitches against the Cleveland Guardians. This impressive outing was his first shutout of his MLB career and helped the Red Sox secure a 2-0 victory over the Guardians.
Houck’s dominance on the mound was clear as he allowed only three hits while striking out nine batters and walking none. The game lasted just one hour and 49 minutes, making it the shortest nine-inning MLB game since 2010. Red Sox manager Alex Cora praised the young pitcher for his composure and control throughout the game, stating that there was never any consideration of going to the bullpen.
The significance of Houck’s complete game shutout was highlighted by various statistics. For instance, he became the first Red Sox starter to achieve this since Michael Wacha in 2022. This milestone performance came at a crucial time for the Red Sox, who were dealing with injuries to their pitching staff. With Garrett Whitlock sidelined with a strained oblique, Houck’s exceptional outing provided much-needed relief for the team.
The victory improved the Red Sox’s record to 10-9 on the season, and they will look to split their series against Cleveland before heading to Pittsburgh for a three-game road trip. With the bullpen well-rested following Houck’s outstanding performance,