Red Sox Wrap: Walk-Off Homer Gives Blue Jays Game 1 Edge

A doubleheader was guaranteed, but the Toronto Blue Jays didn’t want to see extras, too.

In the bottom of the seventh, Marcus Semien hit a walk-off home run off closer Matt Barnes to give the Boston Red Sox their third-straight loss, 1-0.

Hits weren’t easy to come by on either side with the Red Sox finally recording a single in the top of the fifth, but stranding two runners in a rare, golden opportunity in the sixth.

Nick Pivetta did all you could ask, going six full innings in a no decision, but Boston fell to 64-48 with the loss while Toronto improved to 59-49.

Here’s how it all went down at Rogers Centre:

GAME IN A WORD (OR TWO)
Somebody score.

Obviously, you would have preferred it to be the Red Sox, but hopefully the bats wake up in Game 2.

ON THE MOUND
— Nick Pivetta gave Boston exactly what it needed: a scoreless six innings to conserve the bullpen.

He struck out five and gave up just one hit and a walk, throwing 49 of 76 pitches for strikes.

— Barnes came in to close out the game, and instead picked up the loss. Semien took the first pitch Barnes threw, a 95-mph fastball, yard to left field.

MARC’ THIS ONE AS A WIN! #WALKOFF pic.twitter.com/n7ORNkWEd3

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 7, 2021

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IN THE BATTER’S BOX
— Kevin Plawecki got the first hit of the game for either side in the top of the fifth inning.

— Bobby Dalbec reached on a walk to start the sixth and Jonathan Araúz advanced him with a single. Alex Verdugo grounded into a fielder’s choice, and appeared to miss the bag to instigate a Blue Jays challenge. After the Red Sox seemingly were given a gift when nothing was overturned, they stranded the two runners on.

— In addition to Dalbec, Kiké Hernández also recorded a walk.

TWEET OF THE GAME
Silver linings courtesy of Pivetta.

This was Nick Pivetta’s AL-leading 5th start of 5.0+ innings, 0 ER, and 2 or fewer hits allowed.

4/5 vs. TB – 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER
4/28 at NYM – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER
6/24 at TB – 6.2 IP, 0 H, 0 ER
7/4 at OAK – 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 ER
8/7 at TOR – 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 ER

— Red Sox Notes (@SoxNotes) August 7, 2021

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UP NEXT
No rest for the wicked. Game 2 between Toronto and Boston gets going later on Saturday at 7:07 p.m. ET, with live coverage on NESN.

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