The Boston Red Sox kept outfielder Jarren Duran out of the starting lineup again Wednesday night as they hosted the Cleveland Guardians in the second game of a three-game series at Fenway Park.
Manager Chad Tracy’s posted batting order featured Roman Anthony in left field, Nick Sogard at first base, Jahmai Jones as the designated hitter, Wilyer Abreu in right field, Adley Rutschman behind the plate, Ceddanne Rafaela in center field, Caleb Durbin at third base, Trevor Story at shortstop and Andruw Monasterio at second base. Sonny Gray was listed as the starting pitcher.
Duran also sat Tuesday, when the Guardians beat the Red Sox 3-2. He entered that game as a pinch-hitter and drew a walk.
Cleveland took the series opener on Nathaniel Lowe’s sacrifice fly in the ninth inning. The Guardians stranded 15 runners but still extended their winning streak to six games.
Boston dropped to 84-73. The club already clinched an American League Wild Card berth Sunday but has lost three straight and eight of its last 12.
Duran entered Wednesday batting .204 with 110 hits, 20 home runs, 69 RBIs, 65 runs and 19 stolen bases in 146 games. He had 538 at-bats, 39 walks and 163 strikeouts.
The left-handed hitter has struggled in September. He was 9-for-50 with one home run and one RBI in 17 games this month before Tuesday’s appearance.
Over his last 15 games he was 8-for-42 with one homer. His on-base-plus-slugging percentage sat at .625 for the season.
Rafaela’s return to center field tightened the outfield picture. Anthony has been starting in left and Abreu in right, leaving Duran as the extra outfielder in many recent games.
Tracy had the interim tag removed Tuesday and was named the franchise’s 49th manager. The Red Sox have used a mix of platoons and rest days for Duran down the stretch.
Gray brings a 17-5 record and 2.82 ERA into the start. Cleveland is expected to counter with Forrest Griffin.
The Guardians sit at 82-75 and hold a one-game lead over the Chicago White Sox in the AL Central. Chicago owns the season-series tiebreaker.
Duran, 30, is in his sixth major league season, all with Boston. He was an All-Star in 2024.
He still ranks among the team leaders in home runs and RBIs despite the low batting average. His 20 homers leave him one short of his career high.
The Red Sox close the regular season with this series, then host the Chicago Cubs for three games. Seeding and rest for the Wild Card round remain in play.
Duran’s speed and defense have kept him in the mix even as his batting average dropped. He stole 19 bases and continued to play a plus outfield when used.
Boston’s offense produced eight hits Tuesday. Rutschman went 3-for-4 and pinch-hitter Mickey Gasper tied the game with a home run in the eighth.
Cleveland collected 12 hits. Angel Martínez finished 3-for-4.
The Red Sox sit 12 games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. The Yankees hold the other Wild Card spot six games ahead of Boston.
Duran’s role for the final week and any postseason series will depend on how Tracy balances the four outfielders available.
