*Photo from the Boston Globe*
Top Red Sox pitching prospect Tanner Houck had just about the best start to a major league career you could imagine. Houck threw 5 scoreless innings, Jackie Bradley Jr broke the scoreless game, and the Boston Red Sox eked out a win against the Miami Marlins by a 2-0 score. Houck mostly cruised through his debut, but did have a little trouble in the 4th inning, but was able to get out of it.
The scoring in this game didn't start until the 6th inning. Bradley Jr got the Red Sox a 1-0 lead with a slicing RBI double down the left field line, scoring Xander Bogaerts. In the 8th inning, Christian Vazquez lengthened the lead, making it 2-0 on a bloop single to center field, which scored Rafael Devers. The Red Sox were able to secure the win from there.
Houck threw 5 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and 3 walks, striking out 7 hitters. Houck was still in awe of his debut after the game, saying that ''For me, getting to go out there and get to warm up the first time definitely had the heart pounding a little bit more than usual, it was a surreal moment." Matt Barnes was able to get the save in the 9th inning, his 7th of the year.
Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke is giving Houck the chance to earn a rotation spot for next year at the conclusion of this season. Roenicke said that ''That's why we have him pitching now to see what he's like and if he would fit in next year, it's good to get him out there and if we can get him a couple of more starts that would be great. We'll see what happens but what a great start for him. If you want to make an impression, he made an impression on all of us.''
Marlins manager Don Mattingly still had some optimism, despite being shut out. Mattingly said postgame that ''They have a good offensive club over there, and Sandy, sometimes, he's going to give up some hits, right? You give up one run through six innings, you feel pretty good about it. That pitch to Bradley, it looked like he was trying to get it up and away on him. He just didn't get it there.''
Sandy Alcantara got the loss for the Marlins, falling to 2-2 this season. Alcantara threw 6 innings, allowing one run on 5 hits and two walks, striking out 5 hitters. His ERA is now 3.45 after this start. Richard Bleier, James Hoyt, Ryne Stanek, and Johan Quezada also pitched for the Marlins.
The series continues on Wednesday, where the Red Sox will look to keep the winning ways up when Mike Kickham gets the start. Trevor Rogers gets the start for the Marlins.
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