The Hall of Fame pitcher took to Twitter after watching Houck come in and save the day for the Red Sox by pitching five innings of one-run ball in what would ultimately be a 14-6, Game 2 win over the Rays.
What he said should have hit home for Red Sox fans.
Oct. 11, 1999, to be exact.
That was when the Red Sox also fell behind 5-2, in this case, it was after two innings to the Indians in Game 5 of the American League Division Series. The starter, Brett Saberhagen had little to nothing (like Chris Sale this time around), with reliever Derek Lowe not much better.
By the time Martinez was called on after three innings, the Red Sox had crawled back for an 8-7 deficit. The problem was that the Sox ace was dealing with a strained muscle in his back.
“I put my career in jeopardy that game,” Martínez later told Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated. “I knew that."
By the end of the night, Martinez had thrown six hitless innings, using a wide array of pitches and strategies. Ultimately the Red Sox would score a game-winning run in the ninth inning to clinch the series.
Twenty-two years later, Houck duplicated the effort.
Brought to you by Botello Lumber, your local Andersen Windows dealer. Make home your favorite place to be.