Houck has changed complexion of Boston 'pen

This story was excerpted from Ian Browne's Red Sox Beat Newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

It was only a week ago when everyone was still fretting about the Red Sox’s bullpen, and for good reason.

However, something crucial has happened since then, and it could lead to a big improvement in the late innings.

After tinkering with Tanner Houck's role multiple times (starter, piggyback reliever) this season, manager Alex Cora has come to the following conclusion: Houck will pitch in the late innings when the game is hanging in the balance.

Will he be a traditional closer? Not at this point. However, Houck’s outings will be limited to one to two innings, giving Cora the ability to use him more often.

Given Houck’s wipeout slider, which makes his 95 mph fastball look faster, the 25-year-old righty has the chance to be a lights-out weapon late in games.

You saw this come to light in Anaheim on Tuesday night. With the Red Sox and Angels locked in a 5-5 tie, Cora went to Houck for the eighth and ninth innings.

This was the type of road game the Red Sox had lost so many times earlier this season. But with Houck entrusted with those six outs in high-leverage, he was dominant, recording three strikeouts and stranding the potential walk-off run on second with nobody out in the ninth.

The Red Sox scored one in the 10th and Cora resisted the temptation to bring back Houck for a third inning out of respect for his new role. Matt Strahm took care of the 10th, and the Sox had their first road win in extras this season in five tries. It was the 15th win in 20 games for the Sox, who are turning their sluggish start to the season (11-20) into a distant memory. The offense has done the job since May. The starting rotation has been solid all season. The one missing ingredient was bullpen stability.

One dominant reliever used in the right way can change the complexion of an entire bullpen, because other roles become more defined.

And Houck is clearly taking to his new responsibility of getting the most important outs of the game.

“I had a lot of fun in that situation. It gets the blood boiling a little bit. Heart rate up. Living in the moment,” said Houck. “I’m excited for it. Any time I can get the ball and go out there and pitch, I’m always going to be excited for that. I love being out there. I love being able to compete.”