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Boston Red Sox centerfielder Jarren Duran is showing no signs of showing down in what is turning out breakthrough season. The outfielder went long against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday in their series opener at Dodger Stadium.
The game remained scoreless till the fifth inning as Dodgers starter Gavin Stone matched Red Sox's Nick Pivetta. However, Stone was the first to blink as Duran got hold of the rookie for a solo home run at the top of the fifth.
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Duran was named the 2024 All-Star MVP after his two-run home run in the American League's 5-3 victory over the National League in his first Midsummer Classic appearance.
Fans were left in awe by the Red Sox star's solo effort against the NL West leaders with shouts of an AL MVP nod for the All-Star MVP:
"Time to put him in MVP talks," one fan said.
"Dudes on a heater right now," wrote another fan.
"Deserves MVP votes," one fan said.
Some fans even took a jibe at Duran's critics:
"And tons of people were saying he was in no way an Allstar this yr and didn't know his name," a fan said.
"He's proving everybody wrong and these analyst, podcasters and shiit," mocked another fan.
Freddie Freeman comes in clutch for Dodgers after Jarren Duran's solo hit
Jarren Duran's solo home run seemed to be the difference in the game and it felt like the Dodges were running out of time as Nick Pivetta shut down the Dodgers' star-studded lineup over six scoreless innings. The starter allowed just two hits while striking out eight Dodgers hitters.
However, the Red Sox bullpen failed to hold onto the slender lead. Veteran reliever Brennan Bernardino was taken deep by eight-time All-Star Freddie Freeman with the bases loaded for a go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The Red Sox's decision to intentionally walk Will Smith to load the bases for Freeman came back to haunt them as the Dodgers held onto the lead to complete a late come-from-behind 4-1 victory in the series opener. Both teams will square up once again in the second game of the three-game series on Monday.
