ATLANTA (AP) — Chad Dallas was told on Tuesday he would be promoted for his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays.
The call came on Lou Gehrig Day, and it happened to be about a year since Dallas's father, Tony, died from ALS, the neurodegenerative disease now commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease in honor of the New York Yankees Hall of Famer.
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Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, center, speaks with pitcher Chad Dallas (37) and catcher Tyler Heineman (55) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, center, speaks with pitcher Chad Dallas (37) and catcher Tyler Heineman (55) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mason Fluharty delivers to an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
A group of 'tarps off' shirtless male baseball fans cheer from the upper deck of Truist Park as the Atlanta Braves host the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes, right, celebrates with first base coach Mark Budzinski (53) after hitting an RBI single against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., left, celebrates with Myles Straw, right, after the Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves in a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., left, celebrates with Kazuma Okamoto, right, after the Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves in a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
“It was extremely special, like a little God wink,” Dallas said after allowing only two hits and one run in 3 2/3 innings to earn the win in the Blue Jays' 7-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday night.
Dallas was promoted from Triple-A Buffalo to serve as the Blue Jays' bulk reliever behind opener Mason Fluharty.
Dallas immediately was given the opportunity to prove he could thrive in a stressful situation. The Braves had a runner on third base after Michael Harris II doubled and advanced to third before Toronto manager John Schneider pulled Fluharty and summoned Dallas, a right-hander.
Dallas entered the game with one out in the second and stranded Harris on third base. He ended the inning by striking out Sandy León.
“It was cool, though,” Dallas said of inheriting the runner on third when he is more accustomed to starting games. “It was something kind of new. And all you can do is go out there and just give them your best stuff. And you know tonight, I felt like I did that a good bit.”
Schneider said pitching out of the jam helped to ease the rookie's nerves.
“I think getting out of that inning there kind of set him up to settle down a little bit,” said Schneider of Dallas. “And he was great, man. You know, gets his first win in his debut. So pretty cool. Breaking stuff was really, really good and did his part tonight.”
Dallas said he had “tons of emotions” as the anticipation grew for his major league debut. He had friends and family travel from Orange, Texas, and Knoxville, Tennessee, where he pitched in college for Tennessee.
“Dreamed of this day since I was 3 or 4, once I started realizing what professional baseball was,” Dallas said. “And tons of emotions ... tons of happy, super excited. But overall, it was an amazing experience.”
Dallas was only 0-3 with a 4.50 ERA at Buffalo in his comeback after missing the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery. But the right-hander made an impression on Schneider while perhaps proving he could help the Blue Jays as a reliever when there is no longer a need for another starter.
When asked what is next for Dallas, Schneider said “Beer shower and a good flight to Toronto.”
Added Schneider “But really impressed with the job that he did tonight. ... The overall message is just go out, compete, trust your stuff and you know, get ready for whatever’s next.”
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, center, speaks with pitcher Chad Dallas (37) and catcher Tyler Heineman (55) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays pitching coach Pete Walker, center, speaks with pitcher Chad Dallas (37) and catcher Tyler Heineman (55) during the third inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mason Fluharty delivers to an Atlanta Braves batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
A group of 'tarps off' shirtless male baseball fans cheer from the upper deck of Truist Park as the Atlanta Braves host the Toronto Blue Jays during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes, right, celebrates with first base coach Mark Budzinski (53) after hitting an RBI single against the Atlanta Braves during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., left, celebrates with Myles Straw, right, after the Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves in a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr., left, celebrates with Kazuma Okamoto, right, after the Blue Jays defeated the Atlanta Braves in a baseball game, Thursday, June 4, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Seth Jarvis scored on a power play in overtime after Carolina erased a deficit in regulation only to gave up a late tying goal, and the Hurricanes beat the Vegas Golden Knights 4-3 in Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night to the series.
Jarvis’ heroics 3:56 into OT came after a thrilling third period that included four goals being scored and another getting called off because of goaltender interference.
“It was lot,” said Jarvis, who scored for just the fourth time this playoffs. “We did a great job controlling our emotions. We never got too high, never got too low. Just kept responding, and that’s what I love about this group is we always bounce back.”
Game 3 is Saturday in Las Vegas. There is now a guarantee the series will return to Raleigh for a Game 5 next week.
That did not look anything close to certain when Hurricanes had almost nothing going for the first 45 minutes, falling behind by two goals as the Golden Knights took advantage of a couple of scoring chances and locked down defensively. A couple of strong shifts in the offensive zone just before the midway point of the third brought the crowd back to life because the Hurricanes were buzzing.
“The building is a tough building to play in when it gets going,” captain Jordan Staal said. “Obviously, we just needed a spark.”
Logan Stankoven, one of the team's best players this spring, provided he. Stankoven made a terrific individual effort to get them on the board, taking the puck away from Rasmus Andersson, going to the net and banking a shot off Jeremy Lauzon and in with 9:40 remaining in regulation.
Less than three minutes later, Mark Jankowski fired a shot past Carter Hart to tie it, flipping the script from Game 1, when Vegas erased a multigoal deficit and won. This is the first time each of the first two games of a Cup final featured a team falling behind by more than a goal and winning.
“Stanky did a great job getting it going and Janks with a great shot, and it just carried on from there,” Jarvis said.
A big decision by Vegas coach John Tortorella with five minutes left paved the way for it to happen.
Frederik Andersen initially went full extension to deny Ivan Barbashev with the paddle of his stick, and a scrum ensued in the crease that ended with the puck eventually in the net. Referee Jean Hebert waved it off immediately, saying Andersen was pushed into the net and ruling it was goaltender interference.
“I saw a loose puck in front of Freddie," Tortorella said. "Our player stabbed it, didn’t move the goalie and it goes through him into the other side. I’d challenge it 10 out of 10 times.”
Tortorella after some deliberation opted to use his coach’s challenge, and the on-ice officials in consultation with the NHL’s situation room confirmed the call on the ice stood.
“The ruling on the play was goaltender interference,” executive vice president and director of officiating Stephen Walkom told a pool reporter. “He waved it (off) immediately. He believed that it was under the goalie, and the Vegas player went after the puck and interfered with the goalie and his ability to freeze the puck and waived it off immediately.”
The punishment for a failed challenge is a 2-minute minor penalty. The Hurricanes went on the power play, where they had been so ineffective all night and most of the playoffs.
Not this time. Staal redirected Shayne Gostisbehere’s point shot in on the power play. with 4:35 left in regulation.
The Hurricanes killed off a penalty in the intervening time before allowing Stone to tie it with 1:21 left at 6 on 5 with Hart pulled for an extra skater. Carolina defenseman Jaccob Slavin actually knocked the puck into his own net on the play.
Eearly in overtime, Tomas Hertl tripped Staal to put Carolina back on the power play. That allowed Jarvis to score just Carolina’s ninth power play goal of the playoffs.
“That’s a step in the right direction,” Jarvis said. “Our power play found our groove tonight. It started with Jordo in the third, and there just making the right plays, playing smart and being aggressive and it worked out.”
Instead of Vegas going home looking to move to the verge of a second championship in nine years of existence, the series is all square, despite Hart making some big saves and Brett Howden scoring his playoff-leading 12th and 13th goals.
Asked what changed, a tight-lipped Tortorella said: “I have my thoughts. I’m not discussing it here.”
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis (24) celebrates after his winning goal with teammates Shayne Gostisbehere (4), and Jordan Martinook (48) with Nikolaj Ehlers (27) nearby following the overtime period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen (31) makes a save against Vegas Golden Knights' Ivan Barbashev (49) in the third period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis (24) celebrates after his winning goal with Shayne Gostisbehere (4) during the overtime period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Carolina Hurricanes' Mark Jankowski, left, celebrates after his goal with Eric Robinson (50) during the third period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Vegas Golden Knights' Noah Hanifin (15) and Brett Howden (21) celebrate after a goal during the second period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Carolina Hurricanes' Andrei Svechnikov (37) and Sebastian Aho (20) scuffle with Vegas Golden Knights' Cole Smith (22) and Nic Dowd (26) during the second period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Vegas Golden Knights' Brett Howden (21) handles the puck in front of Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the second period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Vegas Golden Knights' Brayden McNabb takes a puck to the face during the first period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Vegas Golden Knights' Brayden McNabb takes a puck to the face during the first period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Vegas Golden Knights' Brett Howden (21) battles with Carolina Hurricanes' Sean Walker (26) on his way to scoring a goal during the first period in Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)
Vegas Golden Knights' Brett Howden (21) reacts ahead of Carolina Hurricanes' goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) after scoring a goal during the first period of Game 2 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, June 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Carolina Hurricanes' Nikolaj Ehlers (27) and Jordan Staal (11) battle with Vegas Golden Knights' Cole Smith (22) for a puck during the third period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Vegas Golden Knights' Brett Howden, right, handles the puck ahead of Carolina Hurricanes' Alexander Nikishin, middle, and goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the second period of Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
Fans at the Lenovo Center wave towels late in the third period in Game 1 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final series between the Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)
