TORONTO -- The familiar sound echoed through the warm, dry air of Rogers Centre on Tuesday afternoon. With the roof closed, the chants of "M-V-P! M-V-P! M-V-P!" bounced off the walls, resulting in ear-shattering noise.

Every time Josh Donaldson made a play or walked to the plate, there were those chants. He deserved each and every one of them, because Donaldson would not let the Toronto Blue Jays' postseason die.

In the Jays' 5-1 victory in Game 4, Donaldson's third-inning solo home run gave the Jays their first lead of this American League Championship Series -- and the sellout crowd erupted with an unmistakable roar.

Aaron Sanchez complemented Donaldson's effort, giving up only one run and two hits in six innings. But Sanchez knew who was the star of the show, and he was situated at third base. Donaldson inspired his teammates with a pregame speech, hit the home run and then made a great stop to maintain a lead.

"Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games," Sanchez said. "There's nothing more I can say about JD."

But Donaldson always can say a lot, and before the Blue Jays cut the Cleveland Indians' series lead to 3-1, he led a players-only meeting.

"He just showed his emotion," Sanchez said. "He said, 'Understanding it's a must-win game, just go out and give everything you've got. You may not be able to play again.' "

Donaldson said he wanted to get his teammates' attention and emphasize how important Game 4 was to him and to them.

"I just wanted to kind of reiterate that and let the boys know that I was coming to play today," Donaldson said.

The Jays might have a chance in this ALCS. They have the starting-pitching advantage in Game 5, when they bring back their Game 1 starter, Marco Estrada, who will square off against soft-tossing rookie lefty Ryan Merritt.

In other words, we are telling you there is a chance.

In the fifth inning, Donaldson made his spectacular defensive play to prevent the Indians from tying the score. With two outs and a man on second, Carlos Santana hit a sharp grounder. Donaldson dove to his left and snatched the ball.

"Everybody is on pins and needles," Jays manager John Gibbons said.

Donaldson bounced up and threw out Santana to end the inning. Donaldson turned his back to the plate, pumped his fist and let out a manic-looking scream of joy.

"I don't think he probably gets the credit he deserves as good of a defender he is," Gibbons said.

In the seventh, Indians manager Terry Francona had seen enough of the Donaldson show. With men on first and third and no outs, the "M-V-P" chants filled the air again, but Francona decided to intentionally walk Donaldson. Edwin Encarnacion followed with a two-run single.

The Jays have finally done enough to win a game in this series.

"It definitely feels good to get a win," catcher Russell Martin said. "That's how it starts."

It is not impossible to believe they still have a chance, especially with Donaldson on their side.

"The fact of the matter is, I'm not ready to go home," Donaldson said.