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Jarren Duran’s 3-run homer brings life back into outfielder, Red Sox
Duran was just looking for an RBI when he stepped into the batter's box in the third inning. But the home run was a welcome sight.
Jarren Duran is far removed from his 2024 season in which he finished top-10 in American League MVP voting.
In 2026, the outfielder is struggling to make contact and get on base, where he can access his most dangerous tool: his legs. In 104 at-bats, Duran has mustered just a .232 on-base percentage. His .173 batting average is the worst among qualified Red Sox hitters, and he’s only walked seven times all season.
But on Friday night at Fenway Park, Duran might’ve exorcised a few demons when he launched a no-doubter 3-run home run into right field to give the Red Sox a lead.
Runs haven’t been easy to come by all season for Boston, but Duran jolted his team to life just minutes after it fell down 1-0 to the Astros.
Duran admitted he wasn’t necessarily focused on hitting it over the wall when he approached the batter’s box.
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“I just got a pitch that I could handle. I was just trying to get the job done, just tie the game, get an RBI from third base,” Duran said. “I just happened to run into a home run there.”
Regardless, Duran will take them however he can get them, and Mike Burrows’s hanging curveball was a good enough pitch for him to take a hard swing at.
He gave plenty of credit to Carlos Narvaez as well, who worked an 11-pitch at-bat just before him to help tire out Astros starter Mike Burrows.
“Whenever a guy has an at-bat like that … you honestly got to tip your cap to Narvy,” Duran said. “Every time he goes to the plate he has a great approach.”
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A confident Duran batting in the leadoff position was a good recipe for success in his best MLB season. And if the speedy baserunner found a little bit of that old magic on Friday night, his turnaround would be a welcome sight for the Red Sox, who seemingly lack confidence as a team after a rough start to 2026.
As for interim manager Chad Tracy, he got his first win at Fenway Park Friday night. He’ll be looking for a second one on Saturday, with Brayan Bello scheduled to start against Houston.
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