Kazuma Okamoto records first MLB hit, scores winning run in Toronto Blue Jays season opener

Toronto Blue Jays rookie third baseman Kazuma Okamoto made an impressive first impression, recording his first major league hit and scoring twice in a 3–2 Opening Day win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on Friday night.

Okamoto’s milestone hit came in the seventh inning, when he lined a pitch from Oakland reliever Scott Barlow into left field for his first big-league knock.

He was later forced out at second base on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Ernie Clement.

The 29-year-old also played a key role in the game’s scoring. He crossed the plate for Toronto’s first run of the season in the fifth inning after drawing a walk and later scoring on an Andrés Giménez triple.

The play was aided by a miscommunication between Athletics outfielders Tyler Soderstrom and Denzel Clarke, allowing the ball to roll to the wall.

Okamoto wasn’t done there. In the bottom of the ninth, he came around to score the game-winning run on Giménez’s walk-off single, capping off a memorable debut.

A major offseason acquisition, Okamoto joined the Blue Jays after an accomplished 11-year career in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, primarily with the Yomiuri Giants.

Known for his power and plate discipline, he hit at least 30 home runs in six straight seasons from 2018 to 2023 and posted a career .355 on-base percentage.

Batting seventh and starting at third base, Okamoto finished his debut performance going 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, helping lead Toronto to victory in their season opener.

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