LOS ANGELES — There wasn’t much good news for the Red Sox at Dodger Stadium this weekend, not after three straight losses, including two in which they had held late-inning leads.
What positives did exist mostly revolved around Jarren Duran.
Days after being selected as the All-Star Game MVP Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas, Duran kept raking against the Dodgers. On Friday, he had a double and a solo homer, the latter accounting for the only Red Sox run of the game. On Saturday, was 2-for-3 with two walks, reaching base four times. Finally, in the series finale, he smacked a two-run homer in the first and added a two-run double in the ninth.
For the series, he was 6-for-12 with two homers, three doubles, five RBI and five runs scored.
“Like I always tell him, ‘I love you, kid...keep going. Keep leading us,’ " said Alex Cora. “He’s doing an amazing job. It feels like he’s finding his groove against lefties. That’s something that I saw a few years ago — he’s able to drive the ball against them. He is. It’s just a matter of time. That was a good swing today (resulting in a first-inning homer off lefty James Paxton). Just keep grinding, man. He’s been amazing.”
Rather than suffer a post-All-Star Game comedown, Duran seemed to build off the momentum that came from being the spotlight in Tuesday’s contest.
“That’s who he is. He’s not going to take anything for granted,” Cora said. “The All-Star (Game) was the All-Star (Game), but I think this is what he really cares about. He’s leading us the right way — in the dugout, in the clubhouse and on the field.”
It’s not as if this hot streak came out of nowhere. He’s now hit safely in 28 of his last 33 games. But his ability to pick up right where he left off before the break, despite the four-day break from regular competition, is still impressive.
“He’s been great,” said teammate Rafael Devers. “With all the talent that he has, I think it doesn’t matter about the All-Star break or anything like that. This is something that he’s going to do, day-in, day-out. We know that he’s one of the most impactful players in the big leagues right now and I’m happy for him. I’m happy for him and I’m happy that he’s doing the good things that he’s done.”
Playing in front of family and friends — requiring him to purchase 30 tickets to Sunday’s game — Duran was the Sox’ unstoppable force near the top of the Boston lineup.
“I’m just trying to have fun, man,” shrugged Duran. “Just hanging out with my team. It’s awesome to be back with them. I’m just trying to focus on the team. The stuff that I do for myself (at the All-Star Game) it’s whatever, but I just want to do stuff to help the team win. I just want to do that. That’s the most important thing.
“It’s been awesome to see (family and friends). It’s always nice to be home and see tons of family to support me. It’s always nice being back in Cali, especially in the summer. I haven’t been home in the summer in forever.”
Though the big weekend came on the heels of his time in the spotlight, he maintained that there was no carryover from Texas.
“I don’t think so,” he said. “All the cameras made me really shy over there. I’m just trying to keep doing what I’ve been doing, keep my head down and stay under the radar and just work hard. That’s kind of my motto, so I’m just going to keep doing that.”