On Wednesday night, the Boston Red Sox needed a boost in their morale and a win against the Cleveland Guardians. The right-hander Tanner Houck delivered that boost with a stellar performance, pitching a complete game shutout in just 94 pitches. This was the first complete game shutout of his MLB career and helped the Red Sox secure a 2-0 victory, snapping their two-game losing streak.
Houck’s dominance on the mound was evident as he allowed only three hits while striking out nine batters and walking none. His impressive outing 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 a consideration of going to the bullpen.
The significance of Houck’s complete game shutout was highlighted by various statistics. It was the first time since Michael Wacha in 2012 that a Red Sox starter had achieved this feat. 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,
