Watch: Red Sox’ Jarren Duran steals home vs. Guardians
Duran showcased his speed on a whole new level Saturday night.
Jarren Duran took his speed and bold base running to a new level in Cleveland.
The Red Sox outfielder wreaked havoc on the Guardians during the nightcap of Saturday’s doubleheader, and in the third inning, he did something few players have attempted with any success: a straight steal of home plate.
Duran drove a ball deep into the corner in right field to reach third base with a triple, and wasted no time making the gutsy choice to go for the plate as left-handed rookie Doug Nikhazy graced the mound.
Watch the play unfold here:
“It was kind of crazy that he gave me the windup … as soon as he moved on it I was going,” Duran said postgame. “I wasn’t going to give it another chance for him to go from the stretch.”
A wider angle showed just how big Duran’s lead off of third base was, but Nikhazy never checked his back shoulder and was completely unaware of what Duran aimed to do.
“He hits the ball out of the ballpark, he runs fast, and he’s an exciting player,” Cora told reporters. “He’s going to take chances. We saw a window there, and he took advantage of the situation.”
It was a very successful day for Duran at the plate; he went 3 for 5, scored three runs and knocked in a pair of RBIs in the nightcap.
Duran has stolen home two other times in his career, but neither was a straight steal. One occasion came as part of a double steal, and the other happened while the pitcher was throwing to first base.
The last time a Red Sox player completed a straight steal of home base was Jacoby Ellsbury, exactly 16 years ago on April 26, 2009.
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