The Toronto Blue Jays were overwhelmed 20-1 by the Kansas City Royals on Friday night at Kauffman Stadium, leaving a record-setting scar in franchise history. The 19-run margin ties the largest loss ever by a division leader in a September or later regular-season game, joining the 2005 Padres’ 20-1 loss to the Rockies, according to ESPN Research.

The game unraveled immediately for the Jays. George Springer opened the scoring with his 63rd career leadoff home run , giving Toronto a 1-0 lead. That advantage vanished in the bottom of the first inning as Royals leadoff hitter Carter Jensen doubled, scored on Bobby Witt Jr.’s single, and came around again on Vinnie Pasquantino’s double, giving Kansas City a 2-1 lead.

The Royals sent 10 batters to the plate against Max Scherzer (5-4), wh

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