Boston Red Sox left fielder Jarren Duran erupted after a shallow flyout in the sixth inning of Thursday’s 5-4 victory over the Athletics in West Sacramento.
With the score tied 3-3, runners on second and third and one out, Duran lofted a 245-foot fly ball to left field. Athletics outfielder Tyler Soderstrom settled under it easily. Third base coach Chad Epperson held Willson Contreras at the bag, correctly reading the short distance and Soderstrom’s strong arm.
Any attempt to tag would have ended in an easy out.
As he jogged back toward the dugout, Duran raised his arms and yelled in the direction of third base. Red Sox radio broadcasters Will Flemming and Lenny DiNardo did not hide their frustration.
“That is ridiculous,” Flemming said. “That is such a tired act.”
Both stressed that the moment clashed with the group mentality that has fueled Boston’s recent surge.
Interim manager Chad Tracy later described the scene as self-directed anger. Duran, who ended the night hitting .195, admitted he is struggling and feels the weight of it.
“Yeah. I [expletive] suck,” Duran said, via MLB.com. “Of course I’m [expletive] pissed at myself. I can’t even do an [expletive] job for this team.”
Contreras, who delivered the go-ahead home run later in the game, took no offense.
“I mean, I love Jarren. He’s one of the guys that plays with emotions. Plays 100 percent,” Contreras said. “We love him here, and he is one of the guys that if I need to go to war, I’m gonna pick him because he’s going to give his 100 percent.
The outburst fits a broader pattern of visible frustration for Duran this season, one that has already included multiple confrontations with fans.
