Carrera ignites Blue Jays in leadoff role

TORONTO — With the Blue Jays taking on their nearest competitor for the top American League Wild Card spot, it was an unlikely source who played hero on Tuesday night at Rogers Centre.

Ezequiel Carrera stepped into the leadoff spot for the injured Devon Travis and gave Toronto the spark it needed in its crucial 5-1 win against the Orioles.

The 29-year-old Carrera came into the season as a fourth outfielder and pinch-runner, at best, on a team with options at every spot.

On this night, Carrera was thrust into the top spot in the lineup, and the Venezuela native finished 2-for-3 while reaching base three times, scoring three times, and hitting a home run to push the Blue Jays two games ahead of the Orioles atop the Wild Card leaderboard.

Carrera opened the game with a leadoff walk and came around to score on Josh Donaldson’s home run to give Toronto an early lead. In the third inning, Carrera would mash a solo home run to extend the Blue Jays’ lead, and the fan favorite would finish his offensive outburst by coming around to …

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