TORONTO — Kazuma Okamoto had learned of the Toronto Blue Jays’ home run jacket when he was in Japan and always thought it was a cool way to celebrate.
On Sunday, he got the chance to try it on after launching the first home run of his MLB career.
“I didn't think this day would come that I would be able to put the jacket on,” Okamoto said through interpreter Yusuke Oshima. “That was an awesome feeling.”
Just about everything went well for the Blue Jays during their season-opening series against the Athletics. From starting pitcher dominance and standout bullpen performances to scrappy comebacks and a pair of walk-off hits, there’s not much more they could ask for.
The good vibes continued Sunday when Okamoto and other secondary pieces on the roster helped lift the Blue Jays to a 5-2 win over the A’s to complete a three-game sweep.
“It doesn't feel like we ever left,” said starter Eric Lauer. “We're right back to where we were and the vibes feel the same.”
George Springer got the crowd of 36,484 on its feet by homering on the first pitch he saw in the bottom half of the opening frame. It was his first of the season and 64th leadoff homer of his career.
After that, though, it was the non-stars who grabbed the aux cord and controlled the stadium’s decibel levels.
Left-fielder Jesus Sanchez sent a 109.2-m.p.h. rocket over the centre-field fence in the third inning, while Okamoto added his own solo shot in the third, going to the opposite-field with a 110.4-m.p.h. laser that travelled an estimated 420 feet.
The homer cemented a strong debut weekend for the Japanese third baseman. He tallied two walks, three runs and four hits while playing strong defence over the three games.
“Just getting started,” said Okamoto. “Obviously don't know what's going to happen moving forward, but all I could do is make sure I'm prepared every single day.”
The Blue Jays have been impressed with that preparation and how well Okamoto has received and applied information from the coaching staff. Not only is he making a big life adjustment in moving overseas, but he’s also facing different pitchers and stronger competition. That will require continual adjustment from the 29-year-old, yet, so far, he’s proven he can handle things.
“Getting off to a good start is important,” said manager John Schneider. “Glad that he did that but he's making it look easier than it is, for sure.”
One of the questions surrounding Okamoto was how he would handle high velocity. That didn’t appear to be an issue against the A’s, and the right-handed hitter underscored the point by redirecting Luis Morales’s 96.4 m.p.h. fastball into the stands.
“It's just a very pretty swing,” said Lauer. “Very quiet, very subtle. But then there's just an explosion off the bat. It's a swing you love to see.”
Lauer, meanwhile, dominated the A’s lineup, taking the baton from rotation mates Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease. Gausman remarked the other day that this version of the Blue Jays’ rotation contained more swing and miss than at any point during his five-year tenure with the club.
Lauer isn’t typically thought of as a whiff machine, however, the left-hander’s performance on Sunday proved otherwise. He struck out the side to open the game and continued to go right after hitters with his fastball, attacking the zone with strikes.
He was cruising until the fifth inning when he surrendered a two-run homer to Max Muncy. That was the extent of damage, though, as he allowed just the two runs on three hits across 5.1 innings, walking one and striking out nine over 87 pitches.
Lauer's nine punchouts were the most in a big-league game for him since September 2022. The left-hander was missing plenty of bats, generating an impressive 17 whiffs, with 12 of those coming off his four-seamer.
“He pitched with a lot of conviction and a lot of confidence,” said Schneider. “He's really good when he's mixing his pitches and when he's executing. I think that's what led to the strikeouts today.”
Strikeouts were a theme for the Blue Jays all series. Gausman collected 11 on opening day, Cease had 12 and, as a staff, the club struck out a record 50 A’s during the series. That was the most over the first three games of a season in MLB history and also represents a new franchise mark for strikeouts in a three-game series.
“I didn't want to be the first guy not to have double digits, but I’ll try to get one more next time,” quipped Lauer.
In addition to strikeouts and wins, Blue Jays players have had plenty to celebrate during the homestand. They carry out a “beer shower” tradition that’s bestowed on players who reach initial milestones such as a first hit or a first win.
Okamoto accomplished the former on Friday, while right-hander Spencer Miles earned the latter on Saturday. Both players were placed in a cart in the clubhouse shower while teammates poured beer on them. These celebrations aren’t just limited to alcoholic beverages, either. As one participant noted, players reach for anything they can find, including baby powder and ketchup.
Following Sunday’s game, it was Okamoto’s turn to be doused again because he’d clubbed his first homer. He had time to dry off before speaking with the media and when asked about the beer shower, Okamoto grinned and confirmed that it did indeed happen.
The hope is that there are plenty more in his future.
“Two in three days,” said Schneider. “With each first he's going to feel more and more part of it.”
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