Tanner Houck delivered an outstanding performance for the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night with a complete game shutout against the Cleveland Guardians. This was the first complete game shutout of his career in the MLB and came with just 94 pitches.
Houck’s stellar outing included only three hits allowed, nine strikeouts, and zero walks in the Red Sox’s 2-0 victory. The game was completed in just one hour and 49 minutes, making it the shortest nine-inning MLB game since 2010.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora praised Houck for his control and efficiency throughout the game, stating that there was never a consideration of turning to the bullpen. This impressive performance came at a crucial time for the Red Sox, as they were coming off two consecutive losses and dealing with injuries in their starting rotation.
With Houck’s gem, the Red Sox improved to a 10-9 record for the season. They will look to split their series against the Guardians before heading to Pittsburgh for a three-game series.