Red Sox Notes: Boston, White Sox Engage In Puzzling Scoring Play

The Boston Red Sox fell to the Chicago White Sox in a 7-2 loss on Friday night.

The night ended with Chicago hitting three home runs and taking advantage against Boston starter Cooper Criswell. Prior to that, the Red Sox got the benefit of a strange play inflicted by Jarren Duran’s dynamic speed.

In the third inning, Duran tapped a swinging bunt out towards the mound. White Sox starter Garrett Crochet fielded the ball, turned and whipped an errant throw down the right field line. Bobby Dalbec came around to score as Duran advanced all the way to third base. That play tied the game up for the Red Sox.

There was just one problem: Duran missed first base.

As a result, the White Sox attempted to appeal at first base. Duran broke for home when Crochet stepped on the mound before he eventually ripped another wild throw to first that got away. Duran came home to score for the Red Sox on what went down as a steal of home.

“We were telling him that as soon as he engages, go,” Alex Cora shared, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “If he steps off and tries to make a play on him, hopefully he’s safe at the plate and we can steal a run. We did steal a run in that situation. It was more about the mechanism of the appeal.”

That style of play can be challenged with video replay, though the White Sox ran out of time to submit a challenge. That set up the conventional appeal, allowing the Red Sox to take advantage.

“Instead of the appeal, we move to the next play,” Cora added. “The next play was him trying to steal home plate. We really thought that he missed the bag.”

“Just trying to cause havoc on the bases, man,” Duran said, as seen on NESN’s postgame coverage. “I’m blessed with the legs. Just trying to use them as much as I possibly can.”

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Red Sox Wrap: White Sox Snap Historic Losing Streak, Beat Boston

by Tim Crowley 2 Min Read

Here are more notes from Friday’s Red Sox-White Sox game:

— The White Sox snapped a franchise-record 14-game losing streak, earning a victory for the first time since May 21.

— Just two days after being reinstated from the injured list, Tyler O’Neill exited Friday’s game with more right knee discomfort.

Cora shared postgame that the Red Sox need to be “careful” while also pushing players to be on the field. O’Neill hopes to avoid the injured list.

“Just tweaked it out in the outfield there, didn’t feel too good,” O’Neill shared, per NESN’s postgame coverage.

— Jarren Duran scored a run in at least three games for the third time this season.

— The Red Sox fell to 5-6 at Guaranteed Rate Field since the start of the 2022 season.

— Boston falls to 9-22 when the opposing team scores first in 2024.

— The Red Sox and White Sox continue their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:10 p.m. ET. You can catch the game, plus an hour of pregame coverage, on NESN.