While most player in Major League Baseball are enjoying their time off, a select few had the chance to compete in the 2024 All-Star Game, including Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran and starting pitcher Tanner Houck.
Neither were voted in as starters, but they both appeared in the contest.
Houck entered first in the third inning, following Corbin Burnes and Tarik Skubal. He allowed two singles to his first two batters before Shohei Ohtani took him 400 feet to right center for a three-run home run.
SHOHEI OHTANI #ALLSTARGAME HOMER! pic.twitter.com/Q8QF8nuEbu
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2024
He bounced back, allowing a single to Trea Turner before getting Bryce Harper to ground into a double play and striking out William Contreras to end the inning.
Duran had a much better night, as the 27-year-old entered the game in the fifth inning and went 1-for-2, including the go-ahead, two-run, go-ahead bomb off of Hunter Greene.
Jarren Duran homers to make it 5 unanswered runs for the AL squad! #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/jRiI8d8EfE
— MLB (@MLB) July 17, 2024
That moment alone was enough to earn Duran MVP honors, becoming the fifth Red Sox to win the honor and the first since J.D. Drew did so in 2008.
It's incredible to see just how much Duran improved from the kid who was struggling to stay up in the majors.
