Loyal Blue Jays fans turned out Sunday night confident it wouldn't be the last time they watched their team in 2015.

And they were right.

Fans at Nathan Phillips Square went wild for Troy Tulowitzki's hit, which sent the Jays into a 5-0 lead.

"Finally! That's the moment we've been waiting for," Pierson Mayhew said. "They scored first tonight, that really helped. I'm still a little bit worried to say the least. Only a few teams have come back from 2-0 in a series...but if anyone can do it, it's these Jays."

Fan reaction to Tulowitzki's three-run homer

"The whole place is buzzing," Duncan Pang said. "I came down from Parkdale and I was walking past party after party watching the game. People are losing their minds.

"Winning is the glimmer of hope you need. This feels more like it."

Sarah Miller was listening on her phone while traveling back from Thanksgiving dinner in St. Catherine's. While picking up her bike at the bus station, she heard the roar from Tulowitzki's hit.

"I heard the crowd and started screaming and thought 'why not go celebrate with people in the city?" Miller said.

"It was a nail biter up until that hit, you know. It's a do or die game and we had so many chances...that Tulowitzki hit settled some nerves.

"It's a little relief but I don't want to start counting my chickens!"

Fans were understandably jubilant at the end of the game.

"It was my first time at the Bird's Nest and the atmosphere was great. What a win," said Alex Chow. "We needed a momentum upswing and now we have that. The team is feeling the passion, the fan base is feeling it. We had something to prove with this game and we proved it."

Game 4 is Monday at 4 p.m.

Family Fun

Georgia Nastamagou and her sons Matthew, 15, and Lucas, 12, won tickets to Friday's game from Mayor John Tory.

The trio were the first to arrive and set up front row seats at Nathan Phillips Square on Sunday, more than an hour before the game started.

Nastamagou is currently a contender for "best mom in the world", according to her sons, after keeping them off school to see the "once in a lifetime" games on Thursday and Friday.

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"I'm sure the principal will be talking to me Tuesday but I don't care," she said.

"I remember watching in 1992 and 1993. I watched it as a kid and now this is something they'll be able to tell their kids about."

"It's been an extra extra long weekend," Lucas said.

"Friday was perfect, even though we lost," Matthew said. "After that, I don't care if they lose, I'm never getting off the bandwagon."

Mom added: "There are no words to justify Friday. It was amazing. The crowd was electrifying."

Texas Bound

A small contingent of Blue Jays fans made the trip to Texas to see game three of the AL Division Series.

Those included Fort McMurray councillor Tyran Ault, who is flying to Texas from Alberta for less than he would have paid to watch the Jays in Toronto.

“I've been Googling what it's like in Texas and it seems like it's safe to wear away team colours,” he said.

“I don't think it's like Philadelphia or New York. I don't think I'll get beat up,” he said with a laugh.

For one lifelong Jays fan, it wasn't a long trip to make.

“I'm going with a friend who is a Rangers fan,” said Kirby Smith, who is attending North Lake college in Texas.

“Hopefully she's ok with it. If not, I'm not there for her, I'm there for the Jays. That's all that matters.”

Smith’s playoff outfit consisted of an old Ricky Romero jersey and Jays cap, unapologetically supporting his team.

“I'm not really worried about the reaction,” he said. “When you're behind your team and cause, you don't care what other people think. Whoever comes out on top is the better team. I'll be there standing behind the Jays, I'm not afraid.”

Speaking before the game, the Barrie, Ont., native was expecting a “rowdy” atmosphere from the Rangers fans.

“It seems like a tough place for opposing teams, the crowd can be very loud,” he said. “But I don't think it will affect the Jays. Toronto fans have probably been louder this year.”

Syracuse resident Doug Wright also made the trip to Texas. He was five months old when the Jays last reached the playoffs, so he's not letting this opportunity go to waste.

“I'm fortunate that my father is working in Texas, so we're going to go to the game. I've got my Donaldson jersey ready to go,” he said.

“I don't think Texas is like New York or Boston. I've been to those with the Blue Jays and had stuff thrown at me and people shout.

“Fans in Texas seem a little more friendly.”