BOSTON -- The Boston Red Sox beat the Cleveland Guardians 1-0 on Wednesday night to improve to 85-73 and set up a rubber match on Thursday night. It was supposed to be a night off for struggling outfielder Jarren Duran, however, after center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela exited the game in the third inning with a right hamstring injury, the 30-year-old Duran was thrust into action, joining an exclusive list in the franchise's 125-year history in the process. 

Duran's first at-bat in the third inning ended in disappointment as he struck out with the bases loaded to end the scoring chance for Boston. However, the 30-year-old turned in a strong performance in relief of the injured Rafaela, leading off the bottom of the sixth inning with a single, later coming around to score the game's lone run on a single off the bat of second baseman Andruw Monasterio.

Duran again reached base leading off the eighth inning with a sharply hit line drive to right field. With Boston leading 1-0, the speedster did everything he could to get the team in a position to add on. With third baseman Caleb Durbin at the plate, Duran took off for second base, diving in safely for his 20th stolen base of the year, securing the second 20-home-run, 20-steal season of his career.  

Duran became just the third player in Red Sox history to post multiple 20/20 seasons, joining 2018 Most Valuable Player Mookie Betts, who did so three times during his six-year tenure in Boston, and Jackie Jensen, who accomplished the feat twice.

Reaching 20 home runs and 20 steals is an impressive accomplishment for Duran in an otherwise unimpressive season. The 30-year-old has been one of baseball's most disappointing players in 2026, hitting just .207/.265/.364/.629 in 147 games. The 30-year-old ranks in the bottom five among 133 qualified hitters in batting average (129th), on-base percentage (133rd), and OPS (131st). 

Despite those struggles, Duran has still found a way to provide some value to the team in both the power and speed departments. 

Manager Chad Tracy told reporters, including Tim Healey of the Boston Globe, that Rafaela will undergo an MRI on his right hamstring. Rafaela described the injury as "cramping" that he felt on a swing, rather than when he ran to first base on his second-inning single. 

As reported by MassLive.com's Chris Cotillo, 2025 Cy Young Award runner-up Garrett Crochet is scheduled to throw another live bullpen session this weekend as he tries to return from left shoulder inflammation and join the Red Sox in a bullpen role for the postseason. Crochet will not make a regular-season appearance before potentially joining the active roster for the Wild Card round. 

With a nor'easter expected to hit New England beginning Friday night, Major League Baseball has moved the Red Sox regular-season finale to Friday afternoon as part of a day-night doubleheader, starting at 1:05 p.m. ET. The league also moved up the start time for Friday's regularly scheduled game from 7:10 p.m. ET to 6:05 p.m. ET. As of now, no changes have been made to Saturday's game. 

The Red Sox will look to win the series from the Guardians in Thursday night's rubber match at Fenway Park. Ranger Suarez (8-4, 3.27 ERA) will make his final regular-season start for Boston, while Cleveland has not yet named its starter. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m. ET.