Electrifying leadoff hitter Jarren Duran steals home in win over the Rays

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Jarren Duran’s speed has been a huge difference-maker for the Red Sox at the top of the lineup. Through 49 games this season, Duran has 13 doubles, eight triples, and 11 stolen bases.

The electrifying lead-off man homered and stole home as the Red Sox defeated the Rays 5-2 on Tuesday night.

In the top of the eighth inning, after working a seven-pitch at-bat, Duran walked and then scored to make it 4-2 during a double steal. Duran headed home after Rays catcher Ben Rortvedt tried to throw out Rafael Devers at second base and beat the return throw back to the plate with a head-first slide.

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The theft of the home was the first for the Red Sox since Travis Shaw stole it on April 21, 2016.

The Red Sox young roster is more athletic than last year, and Duran is a huge part of that core.

• Watch: Jarren Duran steals home in 5-2 over the Rays

“Athleticism,” said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. “We’re in a better place. We’re versatile. We can play their game. We can come here and play defense, run the bases, be aggressive, and hit the ball out of the ballpark. And we can pitch, too. 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.”

Duran celebrated the stolen base by pumping his fist on his way back to the Red Sox dugout, and then he was mobbed by his teammates.

“Me and [third base coach Kyle Hudson] were talking, and he was just making sure that if they threw, he was like, ‘You’re going’” said Duran. “So as soon as I saw him throw the ball like I was full go, to go home. So that's what we were looking for."

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The last time Duran stole third came last season while with the WooSox against Scranton, and it came at the expense of Rortvedt.

“Their catcher was just lobbing it back to the pitcher, and me and [coach Jose Flores] were just licking our chops,” said Duran. “And he's like, ‘Hey man, if they lob one, take it.’ So I just, I just end up taking it.”