Blue Jays Rally From 10-0 to Beat Red Sox

Thirty-Seven Years Later: Revisiting the Blue Jays’ Epic 10-Run Comeback

This blog post dives into one of the wildest and most memorable wins in Toronto Blue Jays history—a dramatic 13-11, 12-inning comeback against the Boston Red Sox, now 37 years in the rearview mirror.

Let’s look back at the gut-punch early deficit, the wild rally, the unexpected heroes, and the way this game still lingers in Blue Jays lore.

The Miraculous Comeback: A Tale of Ten Runs and Unwavering Grit

Baseball seasons can blur together, all numbers and routines. But sometimes, a single game breaks through the noise and becomes a legend.

That’s exactly what happened 37 years ago. The Blue Jays, trailing 10-0 after six innings against Boston, pulled off a comeback for the ages.

They won 13-11 after 12 innings. This wasn’t just another win—it was a jaw-dropping display of grit that left fans buzzing and probably changed the mood of an entire season.

A Rocky Start and the Seeds of Doubt

First, the Jays had to dig themselves a massive hole.

The game started ugly for Toronto.

* Alex Sanchez, the Blue Jays’ much-hyped first-rounder from 1987, took the mound and just couldn’t find his footing. He got only one out and gave up five earned runs. That rough outing ended up being his last big-league start.
* After Sanchez, rookie Xavier Hernandez tried to stop the bleeding. He pitched 6.2 innings in relief—a gutsy effort—but Boston kept piling on runs. By the time the Jays even thought about a rally, the scoreboard looked hopeless. Fans were restless, and honestly, who could blame them?

The Tide Begins to Turn: A Seventh-Inning Spark

Then, the seventh inning rolled around. Something shifted.

Even if hope was barely hanging on, the Blue Jays’ dugout started to stir.

* Nelson Liriano and Junior Felix stepped up, chipping away at Boston’s lead. Their clutch hits brought in key runs and gave the crowd a reason to believe, even if just a little. Suddenly, the impossible didn’t feel so far-fetched.

Building Momentum: Eighth and Ninth-Inning Fireworks

The eighth and ninth innings? That’s where things got wild.

Toronto’s bats finally caught fire, and the deficit started to evaporate.

* In the eighth, the Jays put up four runs. The rally featured a run of hits from George Bell, Fred McGriff, and Lloyd Moseby. Mulliniks smacked a double that kept the momentum rolling.
* Then, the ninth inning unfolded—pure chaos. Toronto exploded for five runs, flipping the game on its head. The highlight: Ernie Whitt’s grand slam, which sent the crowd into a frenzy and gave the Jays a temporary 11-10 lead. That moment? Pure baseball magic.

Extra Innings and a Walk-Off Triumph

Like any epic contest, this game didn’t get settled in regulation. A blown save in the bottom of the ninth sent everything spiraling into extra innings.

* In the bottom of the ninth, Tom Henke—Toronto’s closer—just couldn’t lock it down. That misstep cracked the door open for a whole new round of drama.
* The 12th inning finally brought the knockout punch. Tom Lawless led off with a single, and Liriano dropped down a bunt to move him up.
* That set the table for Junior Felix, who smashed a game-winning home run. It was the kind of blast you dream about, sending the Blue Jays into a frenzy.
* Duane Ward then came in and threw three shutout innings. He mowed down hitters in the bottom of the 12th, nailing down the win.

The victory pushed Toronto’s record to 23-31. The team would later surge to first place that season, before falling to the Oakland A’s in the ALCS. Still, this wild comeback sticks with Blue Jays fans—a reminder that, sometimes, refusing to fold really does make all the difference.
 
Here is the source article for this story: Today In Jays History: Jays Come Back From 10-0 To Beat Red Sox