Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck represented the Boston Red Sox in the 2024 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
This marked the first All-Star appearance for both players, who have been instrumental in Boston’s unexpected success this season. Duran ranks sixth among American League position players in fWAR (3.7) while Houck is fourth among AL starters in ERA (2.54).
Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers was also selected to the AL All-Star roster but did not participate due to lingering shoulder soreness.
Here’s how Duran and Houck performed in the Midsummer Classic, with Duran achieving a historic milestone for Boston:
Jarren Duran
Duran replaced New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge in center field during the top of the fifth inning. In the bottom of the frame, Duran made his mark in his first All-Star Game at-bat by hitting a two-run home run off Cincinnati Reds pitcher Hunter Greene, breaking the tie and securing a 5-3 victory for the AL.
In his second and final at-bat, Duran grounded out to second base.
The 27-year-old outfielder is the first Red Sox player to homer in an All-Star Game since Adrian Gonzalez in 2011. He and J.D. Drew (2008) are the only Red Sox players to homer in their first career All-Star Game plate appearance.
Duran’s homer earned him the All-Star Game MVP award, making him the fifth Red Sox player to win the award since its inception in 1962, and the first since Drew in 2008.
The Ted Williams MVP award goes to Jarren Duran!
Red Sox players who have won the All-Star Game MVP award:
– Carl Yastrzemski (1970)
– Roger Clemens (1986)
– Pedro Martinez (1999)
– J.D. Drew (2008)
– Jarren Duran (2024)
Tanner Houck
Houck had a challenging first All-Star Game. The right-hander took the mound in the third inning and immediately gave up a single to San Diego Padres outfielder Jurickson Profar. Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte followed with another single, and Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani hit a three-run homer.
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner then hit a single, but his teammate Bryce Harper grounded into a double play. Houck managed to end the inning by striking out Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras.
Duran, Houck, and the Red Sox will resume their 2024 season on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The team entered the break just 4.5 games behind in the American League East standings and in the third Wild Card spot with a 53-42 record.