Tanner Houck’s complete game shutout against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday night was nothing short of spectacular. The right-hander pitched a stellar performance, allowing only three hits while striking out nine batters and walking none. This impressive outing helped the Red Sox secure a 2-0 victory and snapped their two-game losing streak.
Houck’s dominance on the mound was evident as he allowed only three hits, making his first MLB career complete game shutout. 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 a consideration of going to the bullpen.
The significance of Houck’s complete game shutout was highlighted by various statistics, including the fact that he was 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, the team will be in a good position as Brennan Bernardino takes the mound as the opener in the next game.