NEW YORK (Interstat) — Facing postseason elimination, the New York Yankees’ offense erupted, overcoming an early four-run deficit to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-6 in Game 3 of their American League Division Series on Tuesday night at a raucous Yankee Stadium.

The victory, fueled by a three-run home run from Aaron Judge, staves off a sweep and cuts Toronto’s series lead to 2-1. The Yankees will attempt to even the best-of-five series at home Wednesday.

A crowd of 47,399 watched as the Blue Jays, who had outscored the Yankees 23-8 in the first two games in Toronto, jumped ahead early. After a George Springer strikeout, Davis Schneider worked a walk in the first inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. then launched a two-run homer to center field off Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, silencing the home crowd and giving Toronto a quick 2-0 lead.

New York responded with a run in the bottom of the frame. Aaron Judge singled and later scored on an RBI single from Giancarlo Stanton, capitalizing on a fielding error by Toronto second baseman Isiah Kiner-Falefa that extended the inning.

The Blue Jays appeared to break the game open in the third, sending nine men to the plate and scoring four runs. The rally started with a Schneider double and an intentional walk to Guerrero. After a lineout, Daulton Varsho singled to center to score Schneider. Ernie Clement followed with an RBI single, and Anthony Santander delivered the big blow, a two-run single to right field that pushed the Toronto lead to 6-1 and chased Rodón from the game.

The Yankees immediately began chipping away in their half of the third. Trent Grisham doubled and scored on an RBI double from Judge. After a Cody Bellinger single moved Judge to third, Stanton brought Bellinger home with a sacrifice fly, trimming the deficit to 6-3.

The momentum shifted decisively in the fourth inning. With one out, Toronto third baseman Addison Barger committed a fielding error, allowing Austin Wells to reach second base. After a walk to Grisham, Judge stepped to the plate and connected on a towering three-run blast to left field off reliever Louis Varland, tying the game at 6 and sending the stadium into a frenzy.

New York took its first lead an inning later. Jazz Chisholm Jr. led off the fifth with a solo home run to right field. Amed Rosario followed with a double and later scored on an RBI single from Wells, making it 8-6.

The Yankees added an insurance run in the sixth. Judge was intentionally walked, Bellinger doubled, and Ben Rice lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Judge for the final 9-6 margin.

From the fourth inning onward, the Yankees’ bullpen was dominant, combining for 6 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. Tim Hill earned the win, recording four outs without allowing a hit. Fernando Cruz, Devin Williams and Camilo Doval all contributed key scoreless appearances before David Bednar entered to record the final five outs for his 29th save of the season.

Varland, who surrendered Judge’s game-tying home run, was charged with the loss for Toronto.

Judge finished 3 for 4 with a home run, a double, four RBIs and three runs scored, serving as the offensive catalyst. Clement was a bright spot for the Blue Jays, going a perfect 4 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Guerrero Jr. added two hits, including his first-inning homer.

The game time was 3 hours, 29 minutes. With the result, Toronto’s season record moves to 96-69, while New York improves to 97-71. The Yankees, who were pregame favorites and had a 53.3% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, defied a projection that had the Blue Jays winning 7-6. The total of 15 runs went well over the pregame over/under line of 7.5.