Marcus Semien, Toronto Blue Jays. (Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports)
Marcus Semien went yard for the Toronto Blue Jays to continue the Boston Red Sox’s ongoing frustrations.
It may have only been Game 1 of a double-header, but Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Marcus Semien will never forget his first career walk-off home run: It came against the division rival Boston Red Sox.
In his first year with the Blue Jays, Semien is having an All-Star season. With only the Baltimore Orioles out of it in the AL East, Toronto is not going away quietly in the early part of August. Semien’s solo shot off Boston relief pitcher Matt Barnes improved the Blue Jays to 59-49 on the year. All the while, Boston continues to be in a complete tail spin since last month’s trade deadline.
It is good to see the Blue Jays playing in front of the home crowd at Rogers Centre once again.
Marcus Semien crushes his first career walk-off home run for the Blue Jays
The streaking Blue Jays have won five games in a row and are winners in nine of their last 10. This mid-summer surge has Toronto six games back of the division-leading Tampa Bay Rays. While that mark only has them in fourth place in the tight AL East standings, Toronto is now only two games back of the second AL Wild Card spot. Maybe both wild card teams get in from the AL East?
It is amazing what a few weeks can do. Though Tampa Bay has held steady at the top of the AL East standings for some time, Toronto and the New York Yankees are taking advantage of the Red Sox’s early August swoon. At least one of these four division rivals will be watching postseason ball at home in October. We need to start taking the Blue Jays seriously in their postseason push.
What a moment for Semien to have his first career walk-off home run break the Red Sox’s heart.