Jarren Duran made a stunning debut in his first All-Star Game appearance. The Boston Red Sox outfielder delivered a crucial go-ahead, two-run home run, earning him the title of All-Star MVP in a thrilling 5-3 victory for the AL over the NL.
The NL initially took the lead with a massive three-run homer from Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning. However, the AL fought back, tying the game in the same inning with a two-run double by Juan Soto and a single from David Fry that brought Soto home from second base. After a scoreless fourth inning, Duran’s heroics came to light in the fifth.
With two outs and Anthony Santander on first base, Duran blasted a 0-1 splitter from Hunter Greene over the right-field fence, propelling the AL to a 5-3 advantage that would ultimately secure the win. The AL pitchers shut down the NL offense for the remainder of the game, allowing Oakland A’s reliever Mason Miller to claim the victory with a solid inning of work.
Duran’s home run was his lone hit of the night in two at-bats, but it was enough to earn him the prestigious MVP trophy. This accolade caps off a breakout season for the 27-year-old outfielder, who has been a key contributor to the Red Sox’s success with his impressive .284 batting average, .342 on-base percentage, and .477 slugging percentage. In addition to his 10 home runs, 41 RBI, and 22 stolen bases, Duran leads the AL with 27 doubles and 10 triples, showcasing his versatility and impact on the field.