Showing some punch
Blue Jays awaken, bash 3 HRs to cut series deficit to 2-1
TORONTO — The Blue Jays needed an infusion of offense in Monday’s Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. And they got a big one, pounding Royals starter Johnny Cueto for eight runs in an 11-8 victory that cut their deficit to 2-1 in the series.
The Royals struck first on Ben Zobrist’s RBI groundout in the first, but the Jays put up three in the second and six in the third to break the game wide open. Cueto didn’t get an out in the third as Troy Tulowitzki hit a three-run home run and Josh Donaldson a two-run blast. Ryan Goins also connected and had a two-run single, one game after his misplayed pop fly set off the Royals’ winning rally Sunday.
Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman left in the seventh with a 10-4 lead and became the first pitcher in postseason history to give up 11 hits and four runs in less than seven innings and earn the victory.
The Royals scored four in the ninth, two on Kendrys Morales’ two-run homer, his fourth of the postseason, before Roberto Osuna closed it out.
Tulowitzki was ejected for arguing with home plate umpire John Hirschbeck before the top of the eighth inning with his team up 11-4.
He was upset after being called out on strikes to begin the bottom of the seventh. He was restrained by teammates as he argued with Hirschbeck when the Blue Jays took the field for the eighth. Manager John Gibbons and bench coach DeMarlo Hale also came out to break up the dispute.
Cueto, whose eight-inning masterpiece guided the Royals to a clinching victory in the ALDS over the Astros, faced 17 batters and gave up six hits with four walks.
No more cans: The Blue Jays banned the sale of beer cans in the upper deck at the ALCS after fans threw them on the field earlier in the playoffs.
Beer will be poured into plastic cups in the upper deck. The Blue Jays also reserved the right to cut off beer sales after the fifth inning if there are any problems.