Saskatoon couple survives wild Blue Jays' win at Rogers Centre

A Saskatoon couple among 49,000 fans packed into the Rogers Centre during Game 5 of the American League Divisional Series (ALDS) say they’re still reeling from the emotional rollercoaster of the game.  

“I’m still on that high,” said Sonia Sick, who surprised her boyfriend Jason with two tickets to Game 5 for his 30th birthday.

 “This morning as soon as we got up we watched the highlights again and relived everything and I don’t know if there are words to explain what we experienced.”

The playoff game started like any other game – a ceremonial first pitch and six innings of good, back-and-forth baseball. Then in the seventh inning, the Rogers Centre was sent into frenzy after a controversial call, one that Sick says she completely missed because she couldn’t see over the shoulders of people in front of her.

“I was at a bit of a disadvantage because I’m barely five-feet-one (inch) so I couldn’t see what actually happened at home plate,” she said.

What she missed was a critical error committed by Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin, who missed his throwback to the pitcher, giving Texas a short-lived lead. But all Sick heard were loud boos from the crowd.

“Everyone starting … throwing their beers and the people came out to clean everything up and then I was trying to figure what was going on so we were checking our phones and then someone mentioned what it was and they replayed it on the big screen and sure enough as everyone was reacting again I got hit in the back of the head with a beer can so I was a little worried if the Jays actually lose this we might be in a riot,” Sick said.

She said she’s okay. However, a fan was charged with mischief after a beer can was hurled through the air and splashed a toddler.

Returning to Saskatoon on Thursday, Sonia said she’s happy she got to see the Jays in their glory, but it didn’t come without a price.

“I’m surprised I can talk today, my throat is a little raspy my calves are sore … There’s no way we would ever be able to top this one.”

The Blue Jays now head to Kansas City to face the Royals in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) which starts Friday.