A good night for Boston at Fenway Park turned somber with one swing of the bat during the Red Sox vs. Yankees series opener.
Sox pitcher Tanner Houck was cruising through his start against the rival Yanks, until a swing by New York catcher Kyle Higashioka brought unfortunate results.
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With his team leading 13-1 in the top of the fifth inning, Houck delivered a 93 mph sinker on a 1-2 count. Higashioka's shot back up the middle sped toward Houck's head. According to MLB, the exit velocity of the batted ball was 89.7 mph.
The pitch caromed off Houck's face and rolled toward the third base bag before being scooped up by third baseman Rafael Devers. Higashioka reached first base safely, but everyone was concerned about the health of Houck, who was down on all fours on the mound with a bloodied face. (WARNING: Graphic images below.)
Scary situation in Boston as Tanner Houck gets hit in the face.
— Dillard Barnhart (@BarnHasSpoken2) June 17, 2023
Prayers for him and hoping everything is alright. pic.twitter.com/nva2QBwLgk
Here is how it looked and sounded on the Red Sox broadcast.
"Fenway could not have become any quieter than it did there in a split second."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 17, 2023
Scary moment in Bostonpic.twitter.com/lgrGycuA95
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After being examined by the training staff, Houck walked off the field under his own power. He waved to his teammates while holding a towel against his face to stop the bleeding.
On Saturday, the team issued a statement, saying Houck had a facial fracture, but was "resting at home in stable condition." He will have appointments next week to come up with a treatment plan.
From the Red Sox:
— Gabrielle Starr (@gfstarr1) June 17, 2023
“Tanner Houck was evaluated last night at Mass General Hospital. He suffered a facial fracture but is currently resting at home in stable condition. Follow-up appointments next week will determine next steps and a treatment plan.”
The starter exited after four innings-plus after allowing four hits and an earned run on 59 pitches. Joe Jacques came on in relief of Houck and tossed two innings, allowing three runs — two earned — on three hits.
