Toronto Blue Jays vs. Kansas City Royals, Royals lead series 2-1

Game 3: Marcus Stroman (TOR) vs. Johnny Cueto (KC) – Toronto 11, Kansas City 8

In what amounted to a must-win game (they’d have been down 3-0 in the ALCS with a loss), Toronto’s sluggers finally delivered after scoring a combined 3 runs in the series’ first two games.

Neither starter was sharp, but Cueto had an especially forgettable performance, lapsing into a reenactment of his late August/early September blues. By the time the bottom of the third came around, Stroman and Cueto had already surrendered 8 combined hits, and the score was 3-2, Toronto. But Cueto chose this moment to completely fall to pieces.

He gave up a leadoff single to Edwin Encarnacion and walked Chris Colabello on four pitches before paying dearly for those mistakes on a high fastball that Troy Tulowitzki took deep to center for a 3-run home run.

Cueto apparently later complained that the Blue Jays were stealing signs (a familiar storyline in Toronto), but got no sympathy from teammate Edinson Volquez, who said, “Johnny said [that] last night, but that’s your fault. You’ve got to hide the ball and have better communication with the catcher giving you signs when you’re pitching.”

Anyway, the bad times kept rolling for Cueto, who gave up a walk and an RBI double before getting pulled for Kris Medlen, who got 2 outs before giving up an absolute BOMB on a breaking ball to Josh Donaldson.

With a 9-2 lead, Stroman could coast a bit, and he did, giving 2 runs back in the top of the 5th before Ryan Goins gave the lead another boost with a solo shot in the bottom half of the inning.

Tulowitzki struck out in the bottom of the 7th and was thrown out of the game in bizarre fashion for arguing balls and strikes as he came out to play defense in the top of the 8th.

The Royals actually made it look closer than it was with a 4-run 9th inning that included a 2-run shot by Kendrys Morales off closer Roberto Osuna.

But it was too little, too late, and the Blue Jays get a chance to even the series at 2 wins apiece this afternoon.

Next game: Today, Tuesday, 4:07 ET, in Toronto. R.A. Dickey (TOR) vs. Chris Young (KC)

Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets

Tonight, Tuesday, 8:07 ET, in Chicago. Kyle Hendricks (CHC) vs. Jacob deGrom (NYM)