Despite their 3-1 series win, the Boston Red Sox didn't play their best baseball against the Athletics as misplays and missed opportunities piled up. But the series really didn't go well for Jarren Duran.
The outfielder went 2-for-15 against the A's and struck out four times. The series was a repeat of many others this season as Duran is in the midst of the worst offensive year of his career. He's slashing .195/.252/.337 over 101 games and the stress of his performance is clearly weighing on him.
The emotions came to a head in the sixth inning on July 30. Duran came to the plate with runners on second and third base, one out and the score tied at three. He lifted a fly ball to shallow left field and when Willson Contreras, the man on third base didn't run, Duran objected.
Duran seemingly chewed Contreras out for his perceived lack of effort and seemed to shout "run" as he walked back to the dugout. After he descended the steps, raised his arms in exasperation and continued chirping and cursing, looking back to the infield each time.
Red Sox interim manager Chad Tracy spoke about Duran's behavior after the game. Most aren't buying his version of the events.
"Just cursing himself for not getting the run in. Just mad at himself. So, that was all it was," the skipper said.
Red Sox's endless excuses for Jarren Duran's behavior are exhausting
That clearly isn't all it was. Tracy is in the right for not calling one of his players out publicly, but the fact that the Red Sox have to keep making excuses for Duran is the worst part of this situation. Some of Duran's behavior in the last few years has been undeniably problematic and misdirected and it's not a good look for him or Boston to have to keep justifying his immaturity.
This is the first time Duran has exploded at one of his teammates — his usual infractions come after comments from fans. It's out of character for him to lash out at a fellow player and something may be going on behind the scenes, but such discussions must happen privately.
Duran himself may have been able to tag up and score on the ball he hit, but Contreras is a 34-year-old former catcher and A's left fielder Tyler Soderstrom boasts 90th percentile arm strength. Contreras and third base coach Chad Epperson know the first baseman's limits and Duran has no business acting like he knows better.
The Red Sox ended up winning despite Duran's outburst and it's a good sign that their chemistry persists through obstacles and tiffs. But it's Duran's job to manage his own emotions and his teammates shouldn't have to deal with him taking his internal frustrations out on them. Contreras deserves better than that kind of treatment and he took it like a champion — as a veteran and leader should.
Duran showed up his teammates and coaches, and made himself look worse in the process. Contreras has been one of the Red Sox's best players all season and he's easily in the running for American League MVP and Duran has no place criticizing him in public for any reason, and definitely not for something that isn't Contreras' fault.
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