(AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays staged a pair of big rallies to get within two games to one of the Kansas City Royals in the American League Championship Series.

Held to no homers and just three runs in the first two games, the Jays belted three home runs in an 11-8 win over the Royals in Toronto on Monday night. The Blue Jays took the lead in the second inning before erupting for six runs in the third to make it 9-2.

Ryan Goins sparked the Jays' three-run second by hitting a two-run single and scoring on Josh Donaldson's single. Troy Tulowitzi padded Toronto's lead with a three-run homer before Donaldson added a two-run blast later in the third. Goins, Tulowitzki and Donaldson each had three RBIs, with Goins adding a solo shot in the fifth.

Tulowitzki wasn't around for the end of the game. He was given a rare playoff ejection for arguing balls and strikes before the top of the eighth.

Royals leadoff hitter Alcides Escobar was 4-for-5 with two runs scored. Ben Zobrist had three hits and scored three times, and Kendrys Morales was 3-for-4 with a two-run homer that capped the scoring.

Blue Jays starter and winning pitcher Marcus Stroman lasted 6 1/3 innings, yielding four runs and 11 hits.

Royals starter and loser Johnny Cueto was chased in the third inning, charged with eight runs on six hits and four walks.

Game 4 of the series in this afternoon in Toronto. A pair of 11-game winners and former Mets teammates will square off as Chris Young pitches for the Royals against R.A. Dickey.

The Mets and Cubs got a day off before playing Game 3 of the NL Championship Series at Wrigley Field tonight. Chicago dropped the first two games in New York and will start Kyle Hendricks against Jacob deGrom in the third game.

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