Jose Bautista capped one of the most dramatic and controversial innings in playoff history with the biggest hit of his decorated career.
Following three consecutive errors made by the Texas Rangers, Bautista drilled a tiebreaking three-run homer off Sam Dyson in the seventh inning to give the Toronto Blue Jays a 6-3 lead - and eventual series-clinching victory - in Wednesday's deciding Game 5.
"It's the most emotionally charged game I've ever played," Bautista told Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports after the Blue Jays secured a spot in the American League Championship Series. "I knew it was gone - I was enjoying it. At the time, I knew I was doing something great for the team."
The emotional 431-foot blast triggered an emphatic bat flip from the Blue Jays slugger and prompted both benches to clear in what had become an increasingly hostile playoff game.
"Watching that, my whole body went numb," Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman said of Bautista's home run. "That was the craziest game I've ever been a part of."
Related: 5 photos of Bautista's incredible bat flip
The dugouts emptied again at the end of the 53-minute inning following a brief exchange of words between Dyson and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki.
During the top half of the inning, the Rangers scored the go-ahead run on a bizarre play at home that caused the Blue Jays to play the ALDS clincher under protest.
With Rougned Odor at third base and two outs, catcher Russell Martin's throw back to the mound appeared to hit the hand of batter Shin-Soo Choo, allowing the Rangers second baseman to sprint home as the ball rolled up the third-base line for a 3-2 lead.
(Videos courtesy: MLB.com)
Home plate umpire Dale Scott initially ruled it a dead ball, but, after Rangers manager Jeff Banister came out, the umpires huddled and Odor was sent home after it was ruled that the run scored because of unintentional interference.
Fans littered the field with debris during the 18-minute delay as umpires sorted out one of the most unusual plays in playoff history.
In the end, the Blue Jays didn't need to file the protest. They became the third team since 1995 to come back from an 0-2 deficit at home to win the ALDS.
''The odds were against us but I don't think these guys ever thought we were out of it,'' Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.
- With files from The Associated Press
