TORONTO — Spirits were high in the streets of Toronto after the Blue Jays stayed alive in the American League Championship Series.
Fans poured out of Rogers Centre chanting "Let's Go Jays!" or "Tu-lo" for all-star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki on Wednesday night after the Blue Jays routed the Kansas City Royals 7-1 in Game 5 of the best-of-seven ALCS. The Royals now lead the series 3-2 as it heads back to Kansas City.
Brendan Engdahl, visiting Toronto from Calgary with his father and friends for the game, couldn't hide his excitement.
"Best experience ever, and I've got two kids," said Engdahl, who describes himself as a hardcore Blue Jays fan. "Chance of a lifetime."
Toronto's chances of making its first World Series since 1993 took a severe hit after a 14-2 loss to the Royals on Tuesday night, putting the Blue Jays down 3-1 in the ALCS. But fans remained optimistic — and very loud — throughout Game 5 as starting pitcher Marco Estrada dominated the potent Kansas City lineup.
"It was the best game ever," said Emiline Layfield, a Toronto native, who's been a Blue Jays fan since they won the 1993 World Series. "Honestly, since the beginning of the game I could tell it was going to be a win.
"Best atmosphere, great atmosphere."
Ace David Price is expected to start for Toronto in Game 6 on Friday in Kansas City and fans outside Rogers Centre had no doubt that he would help the Blue Jays to a decisive Game 7.
"With this energy, they'll carry it through," said Layfield after her first live Blue Jays game since she was five years old.
"One game at a time, but Game 6, since you ask, yeah we're going to win," said Father Jeff Stone, an Anglican priest who wore his clerical collar underneath a Blue Jays jersey with eyeblack on his cheeks.
