Kazuma Okamoto scored the successful run in his Blue Jays debut and Kevin Gausman had 11 strikeouts as Toronto opened its fiftieth anniversary season with a 3-2 walkoff victory over the Athletics on Friday night time.
Okamoto hit a two-out single within the ninth inning and moved to 3rd on an Ernie Clement double. Andres Gimenez ended the sport with a single up the center off reliever Justin Sterner.
Gausman set a franchise report within the fifth inning when he fanned Max Muncy for his tenth strikeout, probably the most on opening day in crew historical past.
A solo homer by Shea Langeliers was the lone blemish over his six-inning outing.
The Blue Jays took benefit of a fielding blunder to attain two runs within the fifth towards Athletics starter Luis Severino.
Outfielders Denzel Clarke and Tyler Soderstrom acquired their alerts crossed on a drive by Gimenez. The ball dropped between them in left-centre subject and bounced to the warning observe, permitting Okamoto and Clement to attain on the triple.
Toronto reliever Louis Varland touched 99 m.p.h. on the radar gun in his one inning of aid within the seventh. Okamoto singled within the backside half for his first profession major-league hit.
Submarine reliever Tyler Rogers labored the eighth inning in his Blue Jays debut. Jeff Hoffman blew a save alternative within the ninth when he gave up a solo homer to Langeliers.
The beginning of the sport was delayed about 35 minutes for participant introductions and a ceremony to acknowledge the crew’s 2025 American League title. The sellout crowd of 42,728 roared as a brand new banner was unveiled above the big video display screen at Rogers Centre.
TAKEAWAYS
Blue Jays: Gausman set the early tone by putting out the aspect within the first inning. He retired the primary 10 batters he confronted.
Athletics: Severino didn’t permit a success till Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled within the fourth. The best-hander had three strikeouts and gave up two earned runs, three hits and three walks.
KEY MOMENT
Blue Jays legends George Bell, Pat Hentgen, Jose Bautista, Vernon Wells and Ernie Whitt threw out ceremonial first pitches as a part of the membership’s anniversary celebration.
KEY STAT
The Blue Jays improved their all-time report on Opening Day to 27-23.
COMING UP
The three-game sequence continues Saturday afternoon. Toronto right-hander Dylan Stop (8-12, 4.55 earned-run common) was tabbed to begin towards left-hander Jeffrey Springs (11-11, 4.11).