Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran is ‘looking to cause havoc’ on the base paths
The Red Sox offense ignited for eight runs in the first three innings on Monday against the Athletics. One of the reasons for the outburst was because of speedy outfielder Jarren Duran.
In each of the first three innings, Duran singled and stole a base, helping to pace the Red Sox offense. Duran’s three-hit, three-steal game coupled with Tanner Houck’s marvelous 10-strikeout performance guided the Red Sox to a 9-0 win in Oakland.
“Every time I get on the bases, I’m looking to cause havoc, run in guys’ faces, make guys fumble the ball, run down the line hard, and stuff like that. So I guess that’s a good thing to call me,” said Duran to reporters postgame.
Duran’s speed forced the A’s into making an error, advancing to third base following Shea Langeliers’ throwing error in the first inning.
The Athletics made five errors in the first three frames.
“I’ve been told since I was in college that the team that makes the least amount of errors usually wins the game,” Duran said. “So I’m just trying to cause problems and make them make errors. And we’ve just gotta capitalize on mistakes, which we did tonight.”
During the weekend series in Seattle, Duran had just two hits (2-for-16), but after five games into the regular season, the Calif. native feels he’s had quality at-bats.
"Obviously, the hits are nice to get, but I feel like I’ve been hitting the ball really hard—just right at people,” Duran said. “And I feel like I’m right there. I’m not trying to get out ahead of myself like, ‘I want the hit. I want the hit.’ I’m just trusting the process right now. Just keep hitting the ball hard. Hopefully, the game rewards me and gives me those knocks when I hit the ball hard. So I’m just trying to have those quality at-bats.”
Duran tormented the Athletics on the base paths, matching his three-steal performance for the second time in his career. The 27-year-old is coming into his own, and if healthy, he should shatter his stolen base mark from last season. Prior to getting hurt, Duran was 24-of-26 in stolen base attempts.
