Toronto Blue Jays at Boston Red Sox

BOSTON – If ever there was a night the Red Sox needed “Sparky,” this was it. Who is Sparky? According to left-hander Patrick Sandoval, that moniker belongs to Anthony Seigler, who came up from Triple-A Worcester in June and has established himself as an energizing force during a memorable run by the Red Sox, which was extended to 20-3 since June 25 with Friday night’s 6-4 victory over the Blue Jays. One game after a franchise-record-tying 15-game winning streak ended and on a night a 4-0 lead disappeared, Sparky went to work. The first flame came in the bottom of the first inning, when Seigler ripped a leadoff homer after Sandoval’s 26-pitch first inning had a chance to put Boston on its heels just a bit after a day off on Thursday. On the fourth pitch by Jays righty Trey Yesavage, Seigler ripped into a Statcast-projected 390-foot homer to right. It was Seigler’s first career leadoff homer. In fact, it was just his fourth career homer, and second at Fenway. “Sparky. That’s our spark plug right there,” said Sandoval. “Especially after that long first inning I had, really trying to set the tone and leaving those guys out there that play the field for that long, for him to get us started like that is huge, it’s unbelievable.” Seigler’s rise on the depth chart has been impressive, even if, at first, it was just by necessity. Middle infielders Trevor Story, Marcelo Mayer and Isiah Kiner-Falefa are all on the injured list at the same time, leaving an opening at second base. The switch-hitting Seigler became interim manager Chad Tracy’s primary choice at that position starting on June 20. And with Roman Anthony out and Jarren Duran having a tough season offensively, Seigler has also become the leadoff hitter. For the Red Sox, an MLB-best 24-6 record started the day before Seigler became a fixture in the lineup. Coincidence? Not entirely. “He's been tremendous,” said Tracy. “He’s scuffled a little bit here recently, but comes right back and has a heck of a game. Takes a bunch of quality at-bats for us today. So, big spark.”