Jarren Duran came through with a crucial single in the eighth inning, helping the Boston Red Sox secure a 2-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.
Rafael Devers also contributed with a sacrifice fly for Boston, who wrapped up only their second series against the Brewers at Fenway Park since 2015. The Red Sox continued their perfect record on Sundays, now standing at 9-0.
William Contreras managed to drive in the Brewers’ lone run with an RBI single.
The game’s momentum shifted in the eighth inning when Ceddanne Rafaela led off with a double and later scored on Duran’s single against pitcher Elvis Peguero.
Red Sox manager Alex Cora praised Duran’s performance, saying, “You think something big is about to happen with him. He looks so comfortable at the plate.”
Pitcher Justin Slaten struck out the side in the eighth, while Kenley Jansen closed out the game with two strikeouts in a perfect ninth inning, earning his ninth save of the season.
Milwaukee, leading the NL Central, had won three of their previous four games before this loss.
Starting pitcher Tanner Houck had a solid outing, giving up just one run in six innings, lowering his ERA to 1.90, the lowest for a Boston pitcher after 11 starts since Clay Buchholz in 2013.
The game briefly got heated after the final out of the top of the seventh inning when Red Sox pitcher Chris Martin got into a verbal exchange with Milwaukee first base coach Quintin Berry, leading to both teams’ benches and bullpens emptying onto the field. However, no physical altercation occurred.
