All you need to know, in quickie form, about the Red Sox loss to the White Sox, complete with BSJ analysis and insight:
HEADLINES
Houck not showing progress: Even taking into account how careful the Red Sox have been with Tanner Houck -- limiting his workload after he experienced a forearm issue earlier this year, while also preventing him from facing a lineup the third time through -- Houck has been inconsistent since joining the rotation full-time. Last night, he couldn't get out out of the fourth inning, but that was less about pitch count (70 pitches at the time) and more general ineffectiveness. In addition to allowing a big three-run homer to Jose Abreu an inning earlier and then yielding a run-scoring single to Luis Robert in the next frame, Houck was his own worst enemy at times, issuing three walks and also hitting a batter. The stuff can be crisp at times and the combination of a mid-90s fastball and a slider that can be a put-away pitch when it's on, Houck seems to sometimes lose focus on the mound. There's a lot to like about his stuff, but there's also a lot of development still necessary. Houck blamed himself for not pitching inside more.
Big hit lacking: Does this sound familiar? The Red Sox just couldn't quite come up with the key base hit late in the game, though they had their chances. For the game, the Sox were 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Over the last four innings, the Sox had first-and-second with one out in the sixth; a baserunner on first with one out in the eighth; and had the leadoff man on first in the top of the ninth. Each time, they failed to do the job when it comes to situational hitting. And yes, the White Sox bullpen is formidable, with two closers (Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks) anchoring things at the back-end. And if the Sox are going to hold on to one of the wild cards and have any expectations in October, they're going to have to do more against quality relievers in high-leverage spots late in games. They did, to be fair, manage to push across two runs in the seventh, with contributions from the last two spots in the batting order. But too often, they couldn't seem to produce in the big moment.
TURNING POINT
In the third inning, Houck had given up just one hit. The White Sox had two runners on Houck got out in front of Jose Abreu. But instead of spiking a breaking ball or throwing something outside the zone to get the first baseman to chase, Houck left a breaking pitch over the plate and Abreu hooked it on a line out to left for a three-run homer. It may have only been the third inning, but that was easily the biggest at-bat in the game. Houck was a strike away from getting out of the jam, and instead, made the mistake of mislocating and allowing three runs on one swing. The Red Sox never recovered.
ONE UP
Christian Vazquez: It was an all-around good night for Vazquez, who had two singles, alertly took two bases on a wild pitch and throwing error and picked off Eloy Jimenez straying too far off second base in the third inning.
TWO DOWN
Kyle Schwarber: Back in Chicago where he starred for the cross-town Cubs, Schwarber endured a rough night at the plate, going 0-for-4 with two called strikeouts.
Rafael Devers: Devers' second-half malaise continues. He was hitless in four trips and didn't get the ball out of the infield.
QUOTE OF NOTE
"Right now, you've got to maximize your roster, understanding that there's a few guys that aren't locked in right now. They just came from (quarantining from COVID), so we have to be aggressive.'' Alex Cora, explaining his decision to pinch-hit Travis Shaw for Kike Hernandez in the ninth inning.
STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
* For the second straight game, Alex Verdugo delivered a pinch-hit single off the bench
* Christian Vazquez saw his hitting streak extended to four straight games.
* For the second time in his last two starts, Vazquez picked a runner off base.
UP NEXT
The two teams will meet again Saturday at 7:10, with the Red Sox officially undecided about their starter (though leaning toward RHP Connor Seabold vs. RHP Dylan Cease (11-7, 3.87)