Kazuma Okamoto powers Blue Jays over Diamondbacks, club ties first inning franchise record
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Boy, did the Toronto Blue Jays need that.
Coming into Sunday's contest against the Arizona Diamondbacks amidst a major slump, the Toronto Blue Jays' bats woke up in a big way.
Kazuma Okamoto hit a solo homer and had three RBIs, Nathan Lukes added a three-run double and the Blue Jays used an eight-run first inning to cruise past the Arizona Diamondbacks for a 10-4 victory Sunday that prevented a three-game sweep.
Toronto snapped a four-game losing streak and ended Arizona's four-game winning streak.
The Blue Jays opened the game with seven straight hits off Arizona starter Ryne Nelson, with the big blow coming off the bat of Okamoto.
Coming to the plate with the bases loaded, Okamoto lined a double off the left-field wall, plating two runs.
A big, two-run double from Kazuma Okamoto keeps this huge first inning rolling. This is the type of swing the #BlueJays need from Okamoto. Many swings lately have looked caught in-between. He needs to fully uncork it, just like this.
It marked the first Blue Jays extra-base hit of the season and snapped a 1-for-20 stretch with the bases juiced.
The seven straight hits before recording an out also tied Toronto's franchise record to begin a game.
While Okamoto's double put the Blue Jays up five, the lineup kept working against Nelson.
The first eight Blue Jays batters reached base on five singles, two doubles and a walk.
Nelson finally struck out Brandon Valenzuela, but Lukes followed with a bases-clearing double for an 8-0 lead, ending Nelson's day after only 30 pitches.
Arizona turned to reliever Andrew Hoffmann, who was able to stop the bleeding by getting Ernie Clement to pop out and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to strike out.
Okamoto hit his third homer of the season in the third, smacking Andrew Hoffmann's slider 406 feet over the left-centre wall.
Kazuma Okamoto clubs his 3rd home run of the year 😤
Blue Jays set a franchise record with 8 first inning runs and hits
Ryne Nelson (1-2) was rocked for eight runs and got just one out. His season ERA jumped from 3.54 to 6.97.
Toronto starter Kevin Gausman (1-1) gave up two runs over six solid innings.
He permitted seven hits and a walk while striking out four. Lukes, who entered the game batting .162, finished with three hits.
Toronto set a franchise record with eight first-inning runs, sending 12 batters to the plate, collecting eight hits and walking once.
Blue Jays also tied a 1st-inning franchise record for runs (8) and hits (8)
The Blue Jays had previously scored eight runs in the first inning twice.
They reached the mark against the Baltimore Orioles on Sept. 26, 2007, and against the New York Yankees on July 14, 2011.
The Blue Jays continue their road trip Monday. RHP Dylan Cease (0-0, 1.74 ERA) opposes Angels LHP Reid Detmers (1-1, 3.57).
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