Jose Bautista hit a pair of key home runs for the Blue Jays on Saturday — but it was a pair of women who sprinted onto the field mid-game and were taken down by police who stole the show.

Not long after the right-fielder gave his team an early lead against the Boston Red Sox, animal rights activists Jenny Henry and Jenny McQueen took to the field waving a banner that read, "Animal Liberation Now" and remained there for a brief moment before being tackled by two Rogers Centre security staff.

"You'd understand why we did it if you knew what pigs, chickens and cows are enduring each and every day," McQueen told CBC News.

"Yes we were bruised and sore, but it was worth it to bring awareness."

A video of the ball game crashers' takedown was sent to CBC News by one of the activists.

In it, two additional security staff are seen arriving at the scene of the pile-up before police officers show up to handcuff the pair and lead them away.

The two were charged with criminal mischief and banned from the stadium for one year, but say they were released by police before the end of the game and were delighted to find support from some of the fans.

"We got lots of high-fives," Henry said.

The two are part of a group called Direct Action Everywhere Toronto. On its Facebook page, the group says, "Direct action is a nonviolent protest that disrupts the places that normalize violence against animals, and calls for animal liberation."

At Saturday's game, they say they were encouraged by high-fives they received from some of the fans in the stands and urged anyone who would listen to try a veggie burger or dog.