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TAMPA — Tanner Houck’s ugly spring training performance has carried over into the regular season.
The Red Sox starter recorded just seven outs Monday. He allowed 12 runs, 11 earned runs, 10 hits (two homers) and two walks while striking out one in a 16-1 loss to the Rays here at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
He has a 9.16 ERA (18 ⅔ innings, 19 earned runs) in four starts after posting an 11.20 ERA (13 ⅔ innings, 17 earned runs) in four spring training starts.
“Just not good,” Houck said. “Come back tomorrow, figure it out.”
Houck clearly isn’t pitching well. Even when he looked better in a win against the Blue Jays this past Wednesday, he induced only four swings-and-misses on his 90 pitches. His delivery has been inconsistent dating back to spring training.
That said, could there be more to it with the Rays?
Tampa has now shelled Houck, a 2024 All-Star, twice in the last month. In his final spring training start, Houck gave up 10 runs and 12 hits (one homer) in 3 ⅔ innings to Tampa.
Have the Rays identified something in Houck’s delivery where he’s tipping his pitches?
“I’m not sure,” Houck said. “We’ll figure it out tonight and come back tomorrow and discuss.”
Manager Alex Cora said he doesn’t think Houck is tipping.
“If you look at the balls they hit hard, they were in the middle of the plate,” Cora said. “Of course there were some balls that went by. We didn’t play good defense behind him. So I don’t know. Just good approach. And they put some good swings on him.”
Houck was very brief in his postgame responses.
“I’m not going to overanalyze it tonight,” Houck said. “Come back tomorrow and talk it over.”
The Red Sox dropped to 8-10. They have lost six of their past eight games. Boston ranks 23rd in ERA (4.41).
“Not a good day all around,” Houck said. “Come back tomorrow and work through it.”
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The Red Sox starter recorded just seven outs Monday. He allowed 12 runs, 11 earned runs, 10 hits (two homers) and two walks while striking out one in a 16-1 loss to the Rays here at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
He has a 9.16 ERA (18 ⅔ innings, 19 earned runs) in four starts after posting an 11.20 ERA (13 ⅔ innings, 17 earned runs) in four spring training starts.
“Just not good,” Houck said. “Come back tomorrow, figure it out.”
Houck clearly isn’t pitching well. Even when he looked better in a win against the Blue Jays this past Wednesday, he induced only four swings-and-misses on his 90 pitches. His delivery has been inconsistent dating back to spring training.
That said, could there be more to it with the Rays?
Tampa has now shelled Houck, a 2024 All-Star, twice in the last month. In his final spring training start, Houck gave up 10 runs and 12 hits (one homer) in 3 ⅔ innings to Tampa.
Have the Rays identified something in Houck’s delivery where he’s tipping his pitches?
“I’m not sure,” Houck said. “We’ll figure it out tonight and come back tomorrow and discuss.”
Manager Alex Cora said he doesn’t think Houck is tipping.
“If you look at the balls they hit hard, they were in the middle of the plate,” Cora said. “Of course there were some balls that went by. We didn’t play good defense behind him. So I don’t know. Just good approach. And they put some good swings on him.”
Houck was very brief in his postgame responses.
“I’m not going to overanalyze it tonight,” Houck said. “Come back tomorrow and talk it over.”
The Red Sox dropped to 8-10. They have lost six of their past eight games. Boston ranks 23rd in ERA (4.41).
“Not a good day all around,” Houck said. “Come back tomorrow and work through it.”
More Red Sox coverage
- Boston Red Sox’ Alex Cora: ‘I’ll take the blame’
- Red Sox reactions: Tanner Houck (12 runs) shelled, offense (1 run, 6 hits) shut down
- Ex-Red Sox outfielder inching closer to Braves debut (report)
- How to watch Red Sox vs. Rays series free live stream
- ‘We hear stories’: Red Sox playing Rays at Yankees’ ‘Boom Box’ spring home
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