Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Next start pushed to Friday
Rotowire
Houck isn't expected to make his next start until Friday against the Yankees in New York after manager Alex Cora said Saturday that the right-hander will be pushed to the back of the Red Sox's pitching schedule, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
The Red Sox want to build in some more rest for Houck in advance of his next start while the 28-year-old has largely struggled since the All-Star break. In his nine outings in the second half, Houck has turned in four quality starts while pitching to a 4.78 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 38:21 K:BB over 52.2 innings. In order to facilitate the extended break for Houck, the Red Sox will call up a pitcher from the minors to start Sunday's series finale versus the White Sox, while rotation members Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Nick Pivetta and Cooper Criswell all appear set to make their next turns before Houck takes the hill again.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Ambushed by Mets
Rotowire
Houck (8-10) took the loss Wednesday, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over five innings as the Red Sox fell 8-3 to the Mets. He struck out seven.
The right-hander came out flat, loading the bases before recording his first out and then serving up a grand slam to Jesse Winker. Houck shook it off and didn't allow another run, but Boston couldn't climb out of the early hole. It's the first time in a month that Houck wasn't able to last at least six innings, a five-start stretch in which he'd posted a 3.23 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB through 30.2 innings, but he remains winless in nine outings since the All-Star break. Houck will look for a better result in his next start, which lines up to come at home early next week against the Orioles.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Sharp in no-decision
Rotowire
Houck allowed three hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in a no-decision Friday against the Tigers. He struck out six.
After allowing six runs in a loss to Arizona in his last start, Houck bounced back with a scoreless effort, notching his fourth quality start in his last five outings. Overall, the 28-year-old Houck is 8-9 on the year with a 3.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 143:46 K:BB across innings this season. He's currently lined up to face the Mets on the road next week in his next start.
Houck (8-9) took the loss Sunday against Arizona, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks across six innings. He struck out two.
Houck's streak of three straight quality starts came to an end Sunday, as he surrendered six runs for the third time this season -- all of which have come in his last 10 starts. During that stretch, Houck has walked three or more batters six times. He's also logged three or fewer strikeouts six times after having done so just once in his first 16 appearances. The right-hander's ERA sits at 3.23 after 158.2 innings pitched. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Tigers in Detroit next time out.
Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Punches out eight in quality start
Rotowire
Houck allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over six innings in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.
Houck held the Astros scoreless until the fourth inning, when he allowed a pair of runs (one of which was unearned). The right-hander surrendered another run in the sixth but was able to complete that frame for his third consecutive quality start. Houck departed in line for the win, but a late Astros rally stuck him with a no-decision. He hasn't picked up a victory in any of his past six outings despite notching four quality starts in that span.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Another quality start Wednesday
Rotowire
Houck came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Rangers, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander left the mound after 108 pitches (64 strikes) with a 4-2 lead, but the Boston bullpen cost Houck his ninth win of the season. Instead, he had to settle for his 17th quality start, tying him with Luis Castillo, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans and Zack Wheeler for fourth in the majors. While he's still giving the Red Sox some length in the rotation, Houck's overall performance had faded as the summer has worn on, and since the beginning of July he's posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and poor 22:21 K:BB through 39 innings. He lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Houston.
Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Logs quality start in no-decision
Rotowire
Houck did not factor into the decision in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with one strikeout over six innings.
Houck allowed a run in the first inning but rebounded for five scoreless frames before departing with a 3-1 lead that the bullpen couldn't preserve. He generated only two swinging strikes on 82 pitches but also limited the Astros to four hard-hit balls. The 28-year-old's command remains worth monitoring, as he has posted a 19:19 K:BB in six starts between July and August. On the year, he owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 124:38 K:BB across 140 innings and lines up to face the Orioles next week.
Houck (8-8) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on eight hits and two walks over five-plus innings as the Red Sox fell 7-4 to the Rangers. He struck out seven.
The right-hander appeared to be firmly in control to begin the game, blanking Texas through three innings, but the wheels came off for Houck in the fourth as Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras launched back-to-back homers off him. It's only the second time this season Houck has served up multiple homers in a start, but Saturday's outing marked the fifth straight in which he issued multiple free passes, and he sports a rough 4.78 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 18:16 K:BB through 26.1 innings over that stretch. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Astros.
