CLEVELAND — Red Sox speedster Jarren Duran and third base coach Kyle Hudson knew there was an opportunity to steal home once Guardians rookie starter Doug Nikhazy decided to pitch from the windup instead of the stretch.
“Me and Huddy saw him mention to the third base umpire he was going to go from the windup,” Duran said. “Me and Huddy, we started talking right away like, ‘I’m gonna go first pitch here if he gives it to me.’”
Duran became the first Red Sox player with a straight steal of home since Jacoby Ellsbury did it exactly 16 years ago (April 26, 2009) against the Yankees. The leadoff hitter went 3-for-5 with a triple, three runs and two RBIs in the Red Sox’ 7-3 victory over the Guardians in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday.
Cleveland won the first game, 5-4. The rubber game will be Sunday at 1:40 p.m.
Duran took a lead almost halfway down the third base line before he took off and beat Nikhazy’s throw to the plate.
“I had to make up for Seattle because I was farther down the line in Seattle and I didn’t go,” Duran said. “But yeah, just to keep the offense going and cause a little chaos and keep the momentum on our side was a big thing.”
Duran stole home twice last year but neither were straight steals. He confirmed he last stole home straight up in the minor leagues.
“His decision,” manager Alex Cora said. “The guy went from the windup and (third baseman José) Ramírez was playing deep. He’s done it before in the minor leagues. So he saw it and he took off.”
Cora said the Red Sox also saw Nikhazy go from the windup with runners on base earlier in the game.
“I think it was the previous inning when he was struggling with command,” Cora said. “There were bases loaded. He was going from the stretch and then he went from the windup. And we noticed it. And right there he declared to go from the windup and (Duran) took off.”
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