The Toronto Blue Jays' bats returned in epic fashion.
Toronto's hitters erupted for a go-ahead nine-run rally in the sixth inning of their 11-4 win in Game 1 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
It was the most runs scored in one inning of a World Series game since 1968 when the Detroit Tigers put up 10 against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Pinch-hitter Addison Barger delivered the biggest blow, crushing the first pinch-hit grand slam in World Series history on a 2-1 offering from Dodgers left-handed reliever Anthony Banda.
Bo Bichette started the onslaught with a six-pitch leadoff walk to reach base for the second time in just his third at-bat since Sept. 6. He missed the end of the season with a knee injury that held him off the Blue Jays' ALDS and ALCS rosters.
Alejandro Kirk followed Bichette up with a single before Daulton Varsho was hit with a pitch to load the bases and chase starter Blake Snell after throwing 100 pitches through 5+.
That set up Ernie Clement for an RBI single and once Nathan Lukes worked a bases-loaded pinch-hit walk, Andres Gimenez ripped a two-run single to make it 5-2 and set the stage for Barger's heroics.
Once the 413-foot blast blew the top off the Rogers Centre, the Blue Jays found themselves with a 9-2 lead after starting the fourth inning down 2-0.
With Banda still on the mound, Kirk found himself back up at the plate with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. standing on first base. He sent a fastball over the wall in centre to hammer their second home run of the inning and give the Blue Jays an 11-2 lead.
It was the seventh time the Blue Jays have scored four or more runs in an inning during this post-season run, and they have now put 82 runs across the plate in 12 playoff games.
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani responded with a two-run shot in the seventh off right-hander Braydon Fisher, but the bullpen hung on and the Blue Jays earned their first World Series victory since 1993.
Game 2 is set for Saturday with first pitch at 8 p.m. ET, catch all the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
