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Red Sox starter was throwing heat — up 2 miles per hour from average velo

Red Sox starter Tanner Houck works against the Blue Jays during first inning Thursday. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)AP

TORONTO — Red Sox starter Tanner Houck touched 97.5 mph with his sinker against the Blue Jays on Thursday.

His 54 sinkers averaged 95.8 mph, up from an average velocity on his sinker of 93.9 mph this season.

The Red Sox lost 4-2 as their bullpen blew a late-inning lead for the second straight night.

But Houck — who has struggled mightily with a 6.38 ERA in seven starts — had his best velocity and best start of 2025.

“Velo was up,” manager Alex Cora said. “Good usage of the fastball. He was able to use his sweeper. But I think the velocity of his fastball was great tonight.”

He allowing just one run, four hits and no walks while striking out six in 7 innings. The lone run against him came in the seventh when Daulton Varsho hit a 356-foot home run to left field.

Houck recorded six swings and misses with the fastball.

Houck said his delivery felt better. Could that have contributed to the uptick in velo?

“I definitely think it helps when you’re a little bit more in sync, on time,” Houck said. “Easier to chase that bigger velo.”

He said the velo and movement will go down if his mechanics aren’t in sync.

“But all in all, I felt really in sync with the fastball tonight,” Houck said. “The slider was a little iffy but ultimately just made it through with what I had.”

Houck said he didn’t feel the increase in velocity.

“No, it’s not something I ever really concerned myself with,” Houck said. “I know that with my movement, as long as I execute the pitch, I’m confident with getting people out whether I’m at 92 or 97.”

Houck also threw 22 sweepers (four swings and misses), seven splitters (one swing and miss) and three four-seam fastballs (averaging 96.1 mph).

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