Manager Aaron Boone's club was attempting to avoid being swept in a four-game series at Toronto, with first place in the AL East on the line.

After nine rounds of Wednesday night’s heavyweight fight, the judges have scored the bout 11-9 for… the Toronto Blue Jays. This is what American League East baseball is supposed to look like, haymakers flying back and forth in a game that had absolutely everything.

The Toronto Blue Jays sit in a first-place tie atop the AL East with the New York Yankees. Barely a month ago, the Jays were eight games back. The Rays were seven back; now they're only half a game out.