- Jarren Duran executes first straight steal of home for Red Sox since Jacoby Ellsbury (2009)
- Historic play sparks 7-3 victory over Guardians, preventing three-game losing streak
- Walker Buehler earns third consecutive win with six-inning pitching performance
- Cleveland's Jhonkensy Noel hits milestone home run in AL Championship Series rematch
- Analysis: Stealing home remains rarest MLB feat (occurs 0.03% of all stolen base attempts)
In a thrilling display of baserunning prowess, Jarren Duran etched his name into Boston Red Sox lore with a straight steal of home against the Cleveland Guardians. The ninth-inning gamble marked Boston’s first such feat since Jacoby Ellsbury’s 2009 exploit against the Yankees, ending a 16-year drought that had become a talking point among New England baseball enthusiasts. Duran’s headfirst slide under Bo Naylor’s tag capped a strategic masterstroke that shifted momentum decisively in Boston’s favor.
The Guardians’ decision to start rookie left-hander Doug Nikhazy backfired spectacularly as Boston capitalized on his debut jitters. Nikhazy’s 90-pitch outing through three innings saw six walks and five hits, including Duran’s game-changing triple that set up the historic steal. Red Sox batters demonstrated remarkable plate discipline, with Rafael Devers and rookie Kristian Campbell combining for four of the team’s nine hits.
MLB historical data reveals the extraordinary rarity of straight steals of home, occurring in just 0.03% of all stolen base attempts since 2000. Teams successfully executing this high-risk maneuver win 68% of those contests according to SABR metrics. This aligns with Boston’s victory, which snapped their three-game skid while extending Cleveland’s struggles in doubleheaders to 2-16 since 2023.
Regional baseball historians noted parallels to Cleveland’s last home plate steal drama – the infamous 1948 World Series play where player-manager Lou Boudreau successfully challenged Boston’s defense. The Guardians’ current roster showed flashes of resilience, with Angel Martínez contributing an RBI single and stolen base, but ultimately couldn’t overcome Boston’s early six-run onslaught.
Walker Buehler’s dominant six-inning performance (3 ER, 7 H) continued his resurgence since joining Boston’s rotation. The right-hander’s 94-mph fastball command and improved slider break suggest potential All-Star consideration. Cleveland’s bullpen found stability through Kolby Allard’s six-inning relief effort, though the early deficit proved insurmountable.
As both teams prepare for Sunday’s series finale, analysts highlight the growing importance of aggressive baserunning in modern MLB strategy. With the league-wide stolen base success rate climbing to 82% in 2024, Duran’s daring dash exemplifies how calculated risks can redefine game outcomes. The Red Sox-Guardians rivalry adds another memorable chapter, proving even in July, baseball delivers October-worthy drama.