Texas Rangers Find Creative Ways To Win Games | Marcus Semien’s Heads Up Play In The 8th Inning Of ALCS Game 1 Is Key Example
Marcus Semien and the Texas Rangers came out victorious in a Game One pitcher’s duel 2-0 over Dusty Baker and the Houston Astros in the “Battle for Texas.”
Despite his struggles at the plate, which saw him leave five runners on base; Semien impacted the game with a pair of defensive gems and a heads up 7-6-4 8th inning double play.
Marcus Semien Still Struggling With Bat
The playoff woes at the plate followed Marcus Semien down to Houston for Game 1 of the ALCS.
His batting average for the playoffs sits at .148 after going 0-for-4 and leaving five runners on base Sunday night. That included not being able to drive in any runs with the bases loaded and two outs in the second inning off of Justin Verlander and leaving a pair of guys on in the seventh against Hector Neris.
Semien, who is going to be the likely winner of the American League Gold Glove award for second baseman made his impact on defense as his heads up play in the 8th killed the Astros final rally.
With Jose Altuve on first base, Alex Bregman hit a ball to the deepest part of MinuteMaid Park’s left field.
Rangers outfielder Evan Carter made a leaping catch at the wall and as Altuve passed second and tried to get back to first base, Semien noticed that his foot did not retouch the second base bag.
“That’s a play where I always watch to see what the runner does,” Semien told reporters after the game.
“Sometimes the umpires are looking at the ball and that is exactly what the second base ump told me. He said he was looking at the ball. He did not see it. I tried to remind him and he still called it safe, but luckily that is a play we can review.”
Texas Rangers Top Four Hitters Scuffling In Game 1
Dusty Baker and the Astros had a great game plan for Semien and the other top four hitters in the Rangers lineup as they combined to go 1-for-16 with the lone hit being a first inning single by Corey Seager. With Nathan Eovaldi scheduled to pitch for the Rangers, lefty professional hitter Michael Brantley should find himself in the lineup next game.
Special Week For Semien & Wife Tarah
The Texas Rangers’ ALCS sweep gave Semien a chance to be there for the birth of his fourth child with his wife Tarah Murrey. Baby Amelie Carol Anne Semien was born around midday Thursday after the couple decided to induce labor.
“It’s the first time we’ve had a child during a playoff run,” Semien said. “I was happy we won our series so I could be there. This whole last couple of weeks of the season I was just fearing I wouldn’t be able to be there because these games all mean so much.”
Round two between these two heavyweights will begin Monday afternoon at 3:30 Central Time.
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