Houck didn't factor into the decision in Sunday's 5-4 win over the Cubs, allowing one run on four hits and zero walks while striking out nine over 6.2 innings.
Houck kept the Cubs off the scoreboard until Matt Mervis scratched an RBI-single off him with two outs in the seventh, which wound up being the last batter he faced. Sunday was already his third start this season with at least nine strikeouts and zero walks. The 28-year-old boasts a 1.60 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 41:5 K:BB in 39.1 innings and projects for a road start against the Twins his next time out.
Houck (3-2) took the loss Tuesday against the Guardians, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out four.
After twirling a complete-game shutout in his last start against Cleveland, Houck picked up where he left off, blanking the Guardians through six innings. However, he'd allow the first three batters to reach safely in the seventh, as Houck would ultimately be charged with two runs and the loss. Still, it's been an excellent start to the campaign for the 27-year-old Houck -- he has a sparkling 1.65 ERA with a 0.98 WHIP and 32:5 K:BB through his first five starts (32.2 innings). Houck's currently lined up for a two-start week -- he's slated to face the Cubs at home Sunday.
Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Twirls complete-game shutout
Rotowire
Houck improved to 3-1 in Wednesday's 2-0 win over the Guardians, allowing three hits and no walks while striking out nine over nine shutout innings.
Houck was absurdly efficient in his first career complete-game shutout, needing just 94 pitches (69 strikes) to finish nine frames. He hasn't allowed a run in three of his four starts this season and has punched out seven or more in all but one start. He boasts a 1.35 ERA with a 28:2 K:BB over 26.2 innings in 2024, a massive jump from his 5.01 ERA from a season ago. Houck is tentatively scheduled for a rematch with the Guardians on Tuesday.
