Jarren Duran wins MLB All-Star Game MVP award, joins Red Sox elite Originally appeared in NBC Sports Boston
Jarren Duran and Tanner Houck represented the Boston Red Sox at the 2024 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
It was the first All-Star appearance for both players, who have been instrumental in Boston’s surprising success to this point in the season. Duran ranks sixth among American League position players in fWAR (3.7), while Houck is fourth among American League starters in ERA (2.54).
Red Sox slugger Rafael Devers was also selected to the American League All-Star roster, but did not play. Due to persistent shoulder pain.
Here’s how Duran and Houck performed in the Midsummer Classic, with Duran making a bit of history 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 inning, he did damage in his first at-bat in the All-Star Game.
Facing Cincinnati Reds flamethrower Hunter Greene, Duran hit a two-run homer to break the tie and put the American League up 5-3, which turned out to be the final score of the game.
Duran grounded to second base in his second and final at-bat.
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 All-Star Game plate appearance.
Duran’s homer earned him the All-Star Game MVP award, as he became the fifth Red Sox player to win the award since it was instituted in 1962 and the first since Drew in 2008.
Red Sox to be named All-Star Game MVP:
Carl Yastrzemsky (1970)
Roger Clemens (1986)
Pedro Martinez (1999)
JD Drew (2008)
Jarren Duran (2024)— JP Long (@SoxNotes) July 17, 2024
Houck Tannery
It was a rough first All-Star Game for Houck. 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 a single of his own, then Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani delivered the big blow with a three-run homer.
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner kept the National League comeback alive with a single, but Phillies teammate Bryce Harper grounded into a double play. Houck struck out Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras to end his less-than-stellar inning.
Duran, Houck and the Red Sox will resume their 2024 season on Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. They entered the break just 4 1/2 games out of the AL East standings and in the third wild-card spot with a 53-42 record.