Duran’s 20th steal gave him a second 20-homer, 20-steal season as Boston beat Cleveland 1-0 Wednesday. Entering for injured center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela in the third inning, Duran had two hits and scored the game’s only run.
Duran became the third Red Sox player with multiple 20-20 seasons, after Mookie Betts, who had three, and Jackie Jensen, who had two. In 147 games, Duran is batting .207 with a .265 on-base percentage, .364 slugging percentage and .629 OPS.
Rafaela said the sensation was “cramping” during a swing, not while running to first; manager Chad Tracy said he will have an MRI. Boston hosts Cleveland Thursday at 6:45 p.m. ET. Garrett Crochet, recovering from left shoulder inflammation, is set for a live bullpen session this weekend; he will not appear in the regular season but could join the active roster for the Wild Card round. MLB moved Friday’s finale to 1:05 p.m. ET in a doubleheader and the other game from 7:10 to 6:05 p.m. ahead of a nor’easter expected in New England Friday night; Saturday’s schedule is unchanged.
