Tanner Houck makes spring debut, ’most likely’ to have a spot in the rotation to begin the season
'First time out, knock the rust off'
The Red Sox won their fourth straight game of the spring defeating the Orioles 3-2 from JetBlue Park on Sunday. Right-handed hurler Tanner Houck took the ball for the Sox in the Grapefruit League match up.
Houck surrendered one earned one on one hit allowing three walks, all in the second inning. He would also strikeout two Orioles’ batters in 2 2/3 innings of work.
In the top of the first, Houck yielded a solo home run to Orioles Rámon Urías. Houck got himself into trouble in the top of the second issuing three walks. The 25-year-old righty was able to get out of the inning after Jackie Bradley Jr. gunned down Kevlin Gutierrez at home plate following Roberty Neustrom lining out to him.
"First time out," Houck said. "Knock the rust off. You can throw as many live and bullpens as you want. Getting in a game situation is definitely a little bit different. The heart rate is up a little bit more.
"So, the first one out of the way, felt good, mixed in all the pitches. In the second inning, I got a little too rotational."
Prior to the game, MassLive’s Chris Cotillo tweeted that Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Houck was “most likely” to have a rotation spot.
The Red Sox will start Nathan Eovaldi in the season opener in New York. Right-hander Nick Pivetta will be the team’s No. 2 starter. Houck will likely earn a spot due to Chris Sale being unavailable due to cracking his rib.
"He did an amazing job last year," said Cora. "Obviously, looking forward for him to take the next step. It was a different role and he was really good for us. Now it's just a matter of putting everything together and keep improving, but he's a guy that we trust."
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