Trevor Story is adamant about playing shortstop
A scary moment became a little less frightening as Friday turned into Saturday.
Despite the horrific image of Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck being hit in the face with a Kyle Higashioka fifth-inning line-drive, the reports from the team after what would be a 15-5 Red Sox win over the Yankees were encouraging.
“He was conscious the whole time, so that's good,” said Cora of Houck, who walked off the field under his own power. “He's in the hospital right now getting further tests. We’ll know more, obviously, at the end of the night, but we got lucky there.”
It was the second time this season a Red Sox player has been hit in the face with a baseball, with Justin Turner enduring a fastball to the cheek during spring training.
"It’s scary when anyone gets hit up in the head," he said. "Obviously it was bleeding right away. He got his stitches back there and he was in good spirits and we know he’s a tough guy so he’ll bounce back. I didn't get a chance to talk to him in the clubhouse, but a couple of guys did. And he was in pretty good spirits before he went to the hospital to get some scans and [get checked on]. And hopefully it's a few stitches and hopefully back out there."
Before heading to the hospital, Houck was turning in another quality performance against the Yankees. The righty gave up just one run on four hits over four-plus innings.