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CHICAGO - Prior to Friday afternoon, the last time a Red Sox hitter saw a pitch at Wrigley Field was in 2012. Jarren Duran made sure the reunion was a memorable one.
Playing in his first game since the Red Sox left Cleveland last Sunday - having been not eligible to participate in the Blue Jays series due to his vaccination status - Duran jumped all over a 92.9 mph first-pitch sinker from Cubs starter Adrian Sampson for a 417-foot, first-inning homer to straightaway center field.
With the homer, Duran improved to 6-for-12 in first-inning at-bats this season.
Prior to the game, Duran insinuated his vaccination status may be changing in the near future.
"Yeah, I'll be there," said outfielder when asked if he would be available when the Red Sox return to Toronto for the last week of the season. He added when asked about tough it was watching the Sox play without him, “Not just that, but I love this game too much to miss out on opportunities to play baseball. I could care less about the money or service time or any of that. I just missed the boys and playing baseball, so that’s kind of like the deciding factor."