Boston Red Sox have suspended Jarren Duran for two games without pay after he shouted a homophobic slur to a spectator behind home plate who heckled him in a loss to the Houston Astros on Sunday.

The exchange that was caught on a live mic during the broadcast of the game occurred when Duran, who was 0 for 2 with two strikeouts at that point in the game, was at the plate in the sixth inning.

A spectator at Fenway Park can be heard shouting "Tennis racket! Tennis racket! You need a tennis racket!"

Duran turned his head toward the spectator and replied: "Shut up," followed by a curse word and the slur.

Duran issued an apology through the team on Sunday night and again in the clubhouse on Monday, saying he had "used a truly horrific word" and felt "awful".

Red Sox said in a statement that Duran's salary during the suspension would be donated to Federation of Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.

The exchange with the spectator came after Duran was honoured during a pregame ceremony as the team's recipient of the Heart and Hustle Award,

It recognises one player per team who "demonstrates a passion for the game and best embodies its values, spirit, and traditions".