- Jarren Duran records sixth triple of 2024, sparks early offense
- Kodai Senga surrenders season-high three runs, ending 17-game streak
- Mets fall from NL East lead for first time since April
- Aroldis Chapman seals win with seventh save
- Controversial replay reversal negates Pete Alonso's first-inning double
Jarren Duran electrified Fenway Park on Monday night, delivering a first-inning double and a second-frame RBI triple to propel the Boston Red Sox past Kodai Senga and the New York Mets 3-1. The dynamic leadoff hitter tormented Senga from the game's opening pitch, scoring Boston's first run after advancing on a wild pitch and crossing home plate via Alex Bregman's groundout. Duran's sixth triple of the season – tying him for the MLB lead – proved decisive as Boston capitalized on Senga's uncharacteristic command struggles.
The Mets' $75 million offseason acquisition saw his historic 17-start streak of allowing ≤2 earned runs shattered, surpassing Dwight Gooden's 1985-86 franchise record. Advanced metrics reveal left-handed hitters like Duran are batting .327 against Senga's signature ghost forkpitch this season, a vulnerability Boston exploited strategically. Hunter Dobbins complemented the offensive surge with 5 innings of one-run ball, outdueling Senga despite making just his third career start.
New York's offensive frustrations compounded in the fifth when Justin Wilson struck out Francisco Lindor with two runners aboard, preserving Boston's 3-1 advantage. The Mets' lone run came via Tyrone Taylor's third-inning RBI single, but Pete Alonso's would-be first-inning double was erased by a successful Red Sox challenge – substitute manager Ramón Vázquez's first replay review victory. Fenway Park's 37-foot Green Monster again proved pivotal, with Statcast data showing Alonso's 112.3 mph liner would have been a home run in 21 other MLB parks.
Industry analysts note the Red Sox's 18-7 record when stealing multiple bases reflects baseball's broader speed revolution, with MLB stolen base attempts up 41% since 2022. Boston's aggressive baserunning forced three defensive miscues from the Mets, who've allowed the NL's third-most unearned runs. Senga's velocity dip (fastball averaging 94.1 mph vs. 95.4 in 2023) raises concerns about his workload after last season's injury-limited campaign.
With the victory, Boston improves to 9-3 in interleague play while the Mets face mounting pressure in the NL East. New York's bullpen remains overworked – their 247 relief innings rank fourth-most in baseball – a critical factor as division rivals Atlanta and Philadelphia strengthen their rotations. Tuesday's matchup features Clay Holmes' first start against former Dodgers teammate Walker Buehler in a battle of reinvented right-handers.
