Jarren Duran steals home for the Red Sox in historic play
- Jarren Duran executed a straight steal of home, the first for Boston in 16 years.
- He contributed three hits and two RBIs in the game, leading to a 7-3 victory over Cleveland.
- This daring play revitalized the Red Sox after a difficult stretch, showcasing Duran as a crucial player.
In Cleveland, Jarren Duran made headlines with an impressive feat that brought energy to the Boston Red Sox. On April 26, 2025, he executed a straight steal of home against the Cleveland Guardians during the second game of a doubleheader, marking the first occurrence of such a play for the Red Sox in exactly 16 years, since Jacoby Ellsbury's steal against the New York Yankees in 2009. The moment was exhilarating as Duran, fresh off a triple in the previous inning, quickly capitalized on a lapse from Guardians starter Doug Nikhazy, who was making his major league debut. During his windup, Duran launched from third base, slid headfirst into home, and successfully tagged the plate just ahead of the catcher Bo Naylor's tags, a call confirmed following a video review. Duran's daring run not only showcased his speed and instincts on the field but also revitalized the Red Sox after a challenging stretch. Reporting noted that he went on to secure three hits and two RBIs in the game, further contributing to the Red Sox’s 7-3 victory over the Guardians after losing the first game 5-4. This thrilling play was lauded by Red Sox manager Alex Cora, who emphasized Duran’s fitting style under the new rules in baseball that enable swifter gameplay, and by pitcher Walker Buehler, who described Duran as one of the most exciting players in the league. The event marked a significant moment in baseball lore, illustrating the joy and unpredictability of the game. It also highlighted Duran's evolving role as a key player for the team, presenting an opportunity to turn around the Red Sox’s fortunes against a rival squad that had often outperformed this season. With this performance, the team not only broke a three-game losing streak but also set the stage for further matches as they faced the Guardians the following day. This blend of individual achievement and team success exemplified the potential of the Red Sox as they aimed to improve their standing in the increasingly competitive season.