Houck (3-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over seven innings against Minnesota. He struck out seven.
He was sharp Thursday and allowed just three runs, with most of the damage coming on a two-run homer by Willi Castro during his final frame. Houck threw a season-high seven innings as the Red Sox cruised to an 11-5 win, improving his record to 3-0. He has a 4.29 ERA. 1.24 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB through his first four starts this season (21 innings) and has yet to surrender more than three runs in any outing. While Boston may still consider moving the 26-year-old right-hander to the bullpen when James Paxton (hamstring) returns, Houck has made a solid case to stay in the rotation.