Houck makes push for promotion
Reliever impressive in frustrating PawSox loss
PAWTUCKET – Tanner Houck needed just 10 pitches to set down the Toledo hitters in order.
That’s what you call efficiency from the hard-throwing righthander – someone who’s making a strong push to get to the big leagues this season.
“Whether you’re starting or relieving, it’s all about going out there and attacking hitters,” said Houck after the PawSox sustained a tough-to-swallow 4-3 loss to the Mud Hens on Sunday. “When you get ahead 0-2, you have the potential to feature some of your nastier stuff. That’s what it kind of boils down to.”
Houck certainly did his job on Sunday, preserving a one-run lead for the PawSox with a scoreless eighth inning. Toledo rallied with two down in the ninth as Daz Cameron lifted a 2-0 pitch over the berm in left field for a go-ahead, two-run shot. Trevor Kelley was charged with his third blown save and the loss, as Pawtucket dropped the rubber game of their three-game weekend series.
Back to Houck, who struck out the first hitter he faced on three pitches. That was followed by a first-pitch out – always a welcome sign if you’re a pitcher.
If you’re scoring at home, that’s four pitches needed for two outs.
Houck fell behind 2-0 and 3-1 to Toledo’s Mikie Mahtook, who ended up grounding to third. Houck was credited with his fourth hold since joining the PawSox last month.
With the PawSox, Houck has appeared in 11 games (one start) and has a 2.35 ERA in 15.1 innings. He’s struck out 16 compared to 10 walks, though none have come over his past three outings.
Perhaps the most impressive stat is the .157 batting average that Houck has posted against International League hitters. He owns a sneaky throwing motion – picture whip where a pitcher hides the ball as long as possible before it explodes out of his hand.
“I’m definitely a little bit more deceptive than most individuals … coming at the hitter in terms of limbs moving at them,” said Houck, “but I’ve also simplified (the delivery) more than what it was in the past. I’ve been able to be more consistent.
“If you ask the hitter, I’m sure my delivery plays a part in it,” added Houck, “but if you’re going out there and hitting your spots, it’s going to be an uncomfortable atbat no matter where you release the ball from.”
The Red Sox moved Houck to the bullpen right before promoting him to Pawtucket. From his perspective, the transition has been a smooth one.
“I looked at the role and have kind of gone with it,” he said. “I’m not trying to do too much. I’m coming in every day and sticking with my routine. When my name is called, that means it’s time to do what I’ve been doing most of my life.
“There are a lot of guys (in the Pawtucket ‘pen) who have a lot more experience than me, whether they’ve pitched in the majors or have been at this level for the past year or two. It’s been huge to be able to pick their brains and learn from there,” he delved further. “It’s also about trusting my stuff and letting it play.”
If the BoSox were to add Houck,
they would first have to add him to the 40-man roster. With MLB rosters set to expand in a few weeks, Boston might be inclined to take a look at Houck, who was selected in the first round of the 2017 draft.
In terms of a possible September callup, one thing that may work in Houck’s favor is that he’s relatively fresh as the minor-league season continues to inch closer to the finish line. Last year, Houck logged 119 innings. Barring something unforeseen, he won’t reach last season’s total in 2019 – he’s at 98 innings with the PawSox down to 16 games remaining.
EXTRA BASES: The PawSox finished the penultimate homestand of the 2019 season with a 1-5 record. They are now 22-39 at McCoy. Since June 7, they have dropped 9 of 11 home series. … Teddy Stankiewicz certainly made a strong bid to earn his first-ever PawSox win at McCoy, tossing six innings of two-run ball. Only one of the runs was earned and it was a loud one, a solo home run that was surrendered to Mahtook in the sixth. … Jenrry Mejia hit the first batter he faced in the seventh before retiring the next three. … Pawtucket catcher Juan Centeno was charged with two passed balls but made a head’s-up play in the ninth when he fielded a bunt and made strong to get Pete Kozma at third. Kozma led off the ninth with a double. … In six games against Toledo, Bobby Dalbec went 10for-20 with seven RBI. All three of his Triple-A home runs have come against the Mud Hens. … Pawtucket drew crowds of 7,000 or better in each of the final four games of the homestand. Sunday’s attendance was 7,099. … The final road trip of the season kicks off Monday with the first of four games against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Erasmo Ramirez (4-7, 4.25) is the scheduled Pawtucket starter.