Marcus Semien’s last home run was June 9. His last multi-hit game was June 15. Before that it was June 3. His last multi-RBI game was June 21.

To say Semien was in a slump is putting it mildly. He was in an offensive freefall, hitting .239 in May, .202 in June, and .177 in July. 

But, with his two hits yesterday, he has now hit safely in three games in a row—just fifty-three more to tie Joe DiMaggio. He seems to be slowly getting it back.

The biggest surprise yesterday was his game-winning two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh after Jacob Latz had just given up a three-run homer to the Rays to wipe out a 2-0 lead in the top of the inning.

It was unlikely in two ways. One, he hadn’t hit a home run in nearly a month. Two, the Rangers had only come from behind when trailing in the seventh inning three times this year.

Yesterday’s game was shaping up to be a blueprint for Rangers failure. Get great starting pitching. Not score many runs. Middle relief comes in and gives away the lead. The Rangers bats go quietly in the seventh, eighth, and ninth.

Only, that last part didn’t happen. Because Marcus Semien woke from his two-month slumber. It was a glorious thing to watch. 

It would be great to see that more often. 

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TODAY’S GAME: