'No quitting in us': Blue Jays rally repeatedly for sweep

ANAHEIM -- The music blaring out of the visitors' clubhouse in Angel Stadium and the cheers in melodic unison were the sounds of a statement win. With nearly two months of the season under their belt, the Blue Jays are just getting started.

The first three games of the series against the Angels showed how good Toronto can be. On Sunday afternoon, the Blue Jays showed just how good they really are.

From sluggers to speedsters, Toronto’s lineup has extreme versatility, and it was on full display in an 11-10 nail-biting win at Angel Stadium in the series finale, which didn’t fall short of dramatics over the course of four ties and three lead changes.

“There's no quitting in us," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "I've seen it the whole time I've been here, these guys don't stop; whatever happens, they're going to keep having fun.”

As the Blue Jays set a season high with 11 runs, they also earned their first series sweep of the year. Toronto’s starting pitching has been the main star as the club has turned things around, having allowed three earned runs or fewer in 14 consecutive games entering Sunday.

However, with a series sweep on the line, the Blue Jays' lineup made the difference to pick up the pitching that was being bested by the Angels.

“We showed we can go out there and beat any team the way we did today,” said starter José Berríos. “We’ve had that on our mind since Day 1. We know we can hit. That's why the pitching staff is able to pitch well -- just hold the game close and try to give the opportunity to win the game.”

The Blue Jays racked up 13 hits en route to their MLB-leading 14th one-run victory of the season. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. led the team with five RBIs as part of a 2-for-3 day at the plate, while Bo Bichette set the stage with a game-tying homer in the eighth.

Toronto was tasked with making a comeback early, after Shohei Ohtani opened the scoring in the first inning when he connected on a curveball from Berríos that stayed over the middle of the plate, launching it 413 feet to right-center field.

Neither starting pitcher lasted beyond the third inning. Berríos was tagged for six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings as he struck out only one hitter and surrendered two home runs in his second-shortest start since joining Toronto last season. As each team traded runs, the Blue Jays found new life with each rally. Any time Toronto felt its back against the wall, someone stepped up to the plate and put the club back in the mix.

“It's one of those days that, as a pitcher, you don't want to go out there,” Berríos said. “But that's how it is. We have to go out there and compete and see how the game's going to end."

When Max Stassi homered off right-hander Adam Cimber in the seventh, it marked the fourth long ball of the game by the Angels -- and gave them their fourth lead of the day.

Then, Bichette flipped the script in the eighth with a solo shot of his own. Bichette’s 405-foot homer to center off reliever Ryan Tepera kept the line moving for Gurriel to later drive in Alejandro Kirk on an RBI double for what proved to be the game-winning run.

“I think energy was good,” Bichette said of the dugout’s mentality throughout the game. “Preparation was good, everything like that. Obviously, it feels good to score runs like we know we're capable of and just continue to come here with the same energy and passion.”

By toppling the Angels, the Blue Jays extended their winning streak to five games while winning for the ninth time in their past 12 games.