Red Sox - 080 000 000 - 8 8 1 Atlanta - 000 010 010 - 2 6 1Christian Vázquez's grand slam capped an eight-run second inning for the Red Sox. Earlier in the inning, Bobby Dalbec hit a two-run shot.
Tanner Houck (6-3-1-3-10, 94) finally allowed an earned run. He also became the ninth pitcher in Red Sox history to have a 10+-strikeout game within his first three career starts. Alex Spier tweeted that the most recent three (Henry Owens, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester) cover "a broad spectrum of outcomes".
Houck's 15 consecutive innings without giving up an earned run is the longest career-opening streak by a Red Sox starter since Vaughan Eshelman's 18 innings in 1995. Houch is only the 13th major league pitcher to allow no more than one earned run in 15+ innings through three career starts.
Atlanta's Tucker Davidson (1.2-3-7-4-2, 53) began his debut by striking out his first two batters. But he was unable to get out of the second inning.
Davidson retired Vázquez (3-for-5) on a first-pitch fly out to left before walking Jackie Bradley on four pitches. Dalbec golfed a low full-count pitch to deep left-center for his eighth homer of the year. Michael Chavis was safe on an infield error and Christian Arroyo singled to center. Alex Verdugo walked, loading the bases. Rafael Devers grounded to short and Vedugo was forced at second, with Chavis scoring. Xander Bogaerts's single scored Arroyo, making it 4-0. Davidson walked J.D. Martinez before being pulled.
Grant Dayton threw two high pitches to Vázquez and the Red Sox catcher smoked the second one to deep left for his second career grand slam.
Verdugo, RFDevers, 3BBogaerts, SSMartinez, DHVázquez, CBradley, CFDalbec, 1BChavis, LFArroyo, 2B
Tucker Davidson will be making his major league debut.
It’s 1, 2, 3 strikes you’re Houck at the old ballgame. This kid is something to look forward to in 2021. Worst to first, here we come
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