Morning Sports Update

"I was either going through the wall, or I make a play."

By Hayden Bird

May 21, 2026 | 10:41 AM

3 minutes to read

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Jarren Duran’s statement of intent: The Red Sox completed a sweep of the Royals on Wednesday in Kansas City, and Boston outfielder Jarren Duran was a central figure.

On top of hitting both a triple and a home run in the 4-3 victory, Duran also pulled off a pair of excellent defensive plays. After the game, he made a typically intense declaration.

“I’m willing to get hurt to make a play for my pitchers,” he said.

— NESN (@NESN) May 21, 2026

“I was just trying to make a play for Earls,” Duran added of Boston starter Connelly Early. “I mean, he’s going really good, and I was just trying to give him one more easy out.”

Early finished his night with a win after 6.1 innings pitched, allowing three runs and striking out five.

Boston is now 22-27, no longer in last in the American League East (for the moment).

Duran is keeping his perspective on how the Red Sox can help their pitchers.

“We haven’t been scoring a lot of runs for them,” he acknowledged after Tuesday’s win, “but we can always get their back on defense, and that’s something we [hang] our hat on.”

On Wednesday, he continued to live up to that standard.

“I was either going through the wall, or I make a play,” he said on Wednesday night. “So I was able to make a play for [Early].”

Trivia: Jarren Duran was the MVP of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game. He was the fifth Red Sox player to earn the distinction. Can you name the other four?

(Answer at the bottom).

Hint: The award was started in 1962, and the initials of the players are CY, RC, PM, JD.

Scores and schedules:

The Red Sox defeated the Royals 4-3 on Wednesday, completing a three-game sweep. On Friday, the Red Sox return home to begin a three-game series against the Twins at 7:10 p.m.

On Friday, Legacy FC host the Seattle Reign at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, the Revolution face Charlotte FC on the road at 7:30 p.m.

More from Boston.com:

• Jarren Duran’s 2-run, opposite field homer rallies Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Royals
• How did the 1994 World Cup go for Boston and Foxborough, and how does it compare with 2026?
• If Bruins are looking to make a deal, the Ducks are an appealing trade partner
• Theo Epstein shares his thoughts on state of 2026 Red Sox
• Here’s what Patriots could reportedly net in a Kayshon Boutte trade
• Patriots receivers well aware of the A.J. Brown trade rumors
• ‘I stink at fantasy football’: Fan at Red Sox game goes viral with creative punishment
• Patriots WR Kyle Williams feels he’s ready for a ‘night and day’ jump in second NFL season

Castle in the sky: Former UConn star Stephon Castle produced one of the dunks of the playoffs in Wednesday’s Western Conference Finals matchup with the Thunder. Unfortunately for the Spurs, the dunk (and San Antonio’s collective effort) wasn’t enough in the end, as Oklahoma City won 122-113.

— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2026

On this day: In 2024, the Celtics defeated the Pacers 133-128 in overtime in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals. Jayson Tatum scored 36 points and added 12 rebounds.

Daily highlight: Like Jarren Duran, Houston Dash defender Malia Berkley sacrificed herself to make a huge play, clearing the ball off the goal-line in a 2-2 draw against San Diego.

— National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) May 21, 2026

Trivia answer: Carl Yastrzemski, Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez, J.D. Drew