Duran’s seventh-inning – Jarren Duran hit a two-run opposite-field homer in the seventh inning to rally the Boston Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night, completing a series sweep.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — With one on and one out in the seventh inning. Jarren Duran waited for Steven Cruz’s pitch and sent it 366 feet into the bullpen in left. It was an opposite-field two-run homer. and it turned a late-game moment into a turning point as the Boston Red Sox held on for a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals.
Duran’s blast — his sixth homer of the season — helped Boston complete a series sweep of faltering Kansas City. The victory also stretched Boston’s three-game winning streak to a season high.
The Red Sox’s bullpen job wasn’t easy, but it finished the task. Aroldis Chapman recorded his 12th save and converted his 26th consecutive save chance.
Kansas City struck first, though. Salvador Perez homered solo in the first inning to make it 1-0. Elias Díaz answered later with a two-run shot in the fifth that put the Royals ahead 3-2. Díaz’s homer traveled 405 feet to left center.
Boston pushed back. Willson Contreras had three of Boston’s 11 hits, including his second triple in four years. In the second inning, Contreras tripled into the right field corner and then scored on Nick Sogard’s single.
On the mound, Connelly Early started the day for Boston and kept the game moving, allowing three runs on two swings — the Perez homer in the first and Díaz’s two-run shot in the fifth. The 24-year-old left-hander gave up six hits and struck out five over 6 1/3 innings.
For Kansas City, Michael Wacha allowed two runs, one earned, on six hits and two walks while striking out eight in six innings. It was Wacha’s fourth straight quality start and his American League-leading eighth of the season.
Cruz took the mound after that seventh-inning rally began. The reliever faced four batters and allowed two runs on two hits. Those runs were his first allowed in six appearances since being recalled from Triple-A Omaha on May 8.
Even in the loss, Perez managed to make a mark. He finished with three hits, including his 135th career home run at Kauffman Stadium. Perez is one home run shy of the record held by George Brett.
The result left Kansas City struggling in the standings. The Royals dropped for the ninth time in 10 games, slipped 10 games below .500 for the season-worst mark, and were swept in a series for the fourth time this season, tied for the most in MLB.
Boston begins a homestand Friday with LHP Payton Tolle (2-2, 2.05 ERA) opposing Twins LHP Connor Prielipp (1-2, 2.88).
Kansas City, meanwhile, has not named a starter to face Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert (2-4, 4.45 ERA) on Friday in Kansas City.
Boston Red Sox Kansas City Royals Jarren Duran Willson Contreras Aroldis Chapman Steven Cruz Salvador Perez Elias Diaz MLB
So wait Duran just carried them in the 7th? Royals bullpen must’ve been cooked.
I don’t get how the Royals can be down 3-2 and then still lose 4-3. Baseball is wild. Also that Diaz homer was massive.
Chapman getting a 12th save like it’s nothing… but didn’t Kansas City start with that Perez HR? Feels like they should’ve had it, unless the manager forgot the whole game plan lol. 405 feet?? sounds fake tbh.
Idk why they swept Kansas City, I heard the Royals were “faltering” but that Perez guy is literally George Brett’s level or whatever. And then Duran hits one opposite-field and suddenly it’s a turning point?? sounds like luck.