Caleb Durbin Embracing Boston Despite Early Struggles
· Yahoo Sports
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The baseball season is long, but first impressions last. For Boston Red Sox third baseman Caleb Durbin, that isn't necessarily a good thing. Durbin entered the home opener on Friday, 0-18 with five strikeouts and one walk.
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In his first at-bat, he tapped a ball on a check swing, which led to a 2-4-3 double play, ending the inning. The crowd responded with boos as Durbin retreated to the dugout. Durbin was undeterred, though, and knows it's part of playing with high expectations.
"When you’re not going good and it’s bad, you’re beating yourself up more than anything. You definitely don’t take it personally. It’s honestly a good thing because you want the fans to be on you and that’s what makes Boston special,” Durbin said.
In his next at-bat, Durbin came to the plate with a runner on second and two outs. He whacked a fastball up the middle, plating Jarren Duran and extending the Red Sox lead to two. After the play, he stood on first base and acknowledged his teammates in the dugout.
“It’s good to drive in a run there. Obviously, we’re scrapping for runs right now. Just good to come through for the guys," Durbin said.
Durbin also flashed the leather a few times at third base. They weren't plays that will make highlight reels, but he did an excellent job picking the ball on short hops and throwing accurately to first.
“Defense is super important to me and that’s got to be locked down more than anything," Durbin said.
He finished the day just 1-4, but all in, it was his best game as a member of the Red Sox. Hopefully, this sparks a string of hits for Durbin, who the team needs to contribute on both sides of the ball.
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