The Boston Red Sox completed a three-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals.
The 4-3 win on Wednesday marked the second time this season they have swept a series. The Red Sox have now won seven of their last nine road games, improving their road record to 14-13. They now face a six-game homestand against the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves.
Duran’s Impact at the Plate
Jarren Duran had one of his most productive series to date in Kansas City. He went 4-for-10 with two homers, a double, a triple and six RBIs. One of those homers, a two-run blast in the seventh, proved to be the difference-maker on Wednesday.
Finding consistency has been an elusive feat for Duran this season. He will need to string together more than a few good games to turn his season around.
In 44 games, Duran is hitting .195 with a .628 OPS, an improvement from the .178 average and .529 OPS he had prior to the road trip.
When Duran is hitting well, he can be a catalyst for the lineup. Interim manager Chad Tracy has kept him in the leadoff spot for this reason.
The pressure Duran can put on an opposing defence remains real. He leads the team with 10 stolen bases and is the only player in the majors with at least 10 steals who hasn’t been caught.
Durbin’s Reduced Role and Sogard’s Opportunity
Caleb Durbin has been given a breather, sitting the third baseman in three of the last four games. On Sunday and Monday, Durbin sat back-to-back games for the first time this season. He returned to the lineup in Tuesday’s 7-1 win with an RBI single. But on Wednesday, he found himself back on the bench.
Infielder Nick Sogard, called up when shortstop Trevor Story landed on the injured list, has benefited from Durbin’s reduced playing time. He’s been in the starting lineup every game since Sunday, with three games at third and one at second, going 4-for-14 with a double.
The 26-year-old Durbin has been a standout on defense, leading all American League third basemen with 7 Defensive Runs Saved, but he has struggled at the plate. In 44 games, he’s hitting .169 with a .495 OPS, eight doubles and a homer.
Tracy said he wanted to give Durbin a reset on the bench and likes how Sogard is hitting. At the time of his promotion from Triple-A Worcester, Sogard was hitting .269 with an .871 OPS in 36 games.
At this point, it doesn’t seem like Durbin will be optioned to Triple A.
The Red Sox will begin a six-game homestand against the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves on Friday.