A new name was added to the Red Sox closer carousel on Friday.
Righty Tanner Houck came on for the final inning in the first game of a three-game set against the Mariners. With Boston up 4-3, Houck had a chance to continue the momentum the Red Sox’ have built on their West Coast trip, but he had to go against the heart of the Mariners’ order.
Houck hit the first batter he faced, Mariners third baseman Ty France, in a seven-pitch at-bat, nailing France with his fastball. He bounced back to strike out center fielder Julio Rodriguez with a sinker on the inside edge of the zone but shortstop J.