Red Sox’ Jarren Duran takes the blame after costly misplay: ‘One hundred percent on me’

NEW YORK — During the regular season, one key play — or misplay — can change a game. That goes double for the postseason, when the stakes are higher and everything is magnified.

Jarren Duran found himself in such a spot in Game 2 of the Red Sox’ wild card series with the New York Yankees Wednesday night.

With the score tied 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth, the Yankees had Trent Grisham at second with two out and the ever-dangerous Aaron Judge at the plate against Red Sox reliever Justin Slaten.

Judge hit a liner to left that Duran came in on, but in an awkward manner, stumbling forward. The ball hit the heel of Duran’s glove and fell to the ground as Grisham, running all the way, scored easily from second.

“I was just playing pretty deep on Judge,” recounted Duran, “and as I was coming in, I thought it was hit a little harder than it was. And then I (realized) I had gained more ground than I thought; I didn’t really have to go into a full dive there and I kind of pushed the ball on myself a little more and it got really up on me. It’s on me.”

The Red Sox countered with a run of their own in the top of the sixth when Trevor Story homered to straightway center. But instead of being up one after Story’s blast, the Sox were merely tied.

The ball was surprisingly ruled a base hit and Duran was spared an error. But the damage had been done.

“This one’s going to sting a little bit,” said Duran. ”I know that game’s 100 percent on me. If I make that play, Trevor hits the homer and we take the lead. But I messed it up, gave them momentum and things just happened from there. That’s one on me; I’m going to have to wear that one.

“(The Story homer) was a good feeling. But deep down I know we could have had that lead right there. That one stings a little bit. I can already feel it. It’s disappointing. That one’s on me.”

The Game 2, 4-3 loss to the Yankees sets up a winner take-all Game 3 Wednesday night.

“I have complete confidence in this team,” said Duran. “We’ve been through stuff like this before and we’ve been resilient all year so I’m excited to see what we can do (Thursday).”

Asked how he’ll get past the disappointment of the flubbed play, Duran said: “I don’t know. I’ll think about it tonight and just kind of get over it. I’m excited to play tomorrow and redeem myself.”

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