Red Sox

Jarren Duran’s speed is to thank for Red Sox’ quick comeback over Rays

Duran stole home and hit a homer during Tuesday night’s 5-2 victory, giving Boston its first series win at Tropicana Field since 2019.

By Faith Pinnow

May 22, 2024

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Jarren Duran accomplished a feat that no other Red Sox player has done since 2016.

The ultra-speedy center fielder took off to steal home in the eighth inning to deliver Boston a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays Tuesday night. 

Blink, and you might’ve missed it. 

Duran, who had just hit a home run in the sixth inning to tie up the game at Tropicana Field, was poised perfectly for the play following a seven-pitch walk. By time the 27-year-old reached third, Rafael Devers was at first base and ready to make a steal of his own.

“Me and (Kyle Hudson) had talked about it that if (Devers) goes when he gave him the sign that if it goes through, I was gonna go home,” Duran told NESN’s Jahmai Webster after the game.

Travis Shaw was the last Sox player to pull off a theft of home over eight years ago. 

“Looking back at the play, my fault,” Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe said, per MLB.com’s Ian Browne. “I jumped up to catch the ball, left my feet to catch the ball, and no matter what the situation is, I’m probably not gonna throw Duran out off my back foot. I’ve got to understand who’s running at third and understand how close Devers actually was to me.”

But for Boston, the double steal gave them another historic opportunity. 

Tuesday night’s victory gave the Red Sox a series win at Tropicana Field for the first time since 2019. Over the past two seasons, Boston went just 2-15 on the Rays’ home turf. Now, thanks to a young, talented core roster — and players like Duran — the tides are shifting in their favor. 

“They took a chance, and Jarren [Duran] took off,” manager Alex Cora told reporters after the win. “When you’re athletic and can push the envelope, we’re gonna do it.”

“We’re in a better place. We’re versatile. We can play their game. We can come here and play defense and run the bases and be aggressive and hit the ball out of the ballpark. And we can pitch, too,” Cora added, per Browne. “So, we won the series. Let’s get greedy. Come here [Wednesday], put together another good game and finish the road trip the right way.”

The Red Sox close the three-game series against the Rays Wednesday at 6:50 p.m.