Kazuma Okamoto gave the Toronto Blue Jays another reason to celebrate Tuesday night, setting a franchise rookie record with his 25th home run of the season.
Okamoto’s fifth-inning solo shot helped Toronto pull away from the Tampa Bay Rays in a 10-5 victory at Tropicana Field. The homer moved him past Eric Hinske’s 24-homer mark from 2002.
The blast came during a big offensive night for Toronto, which collected 17 hits against the American League-leading Rays. Okamoto’s homer also ended a 16-game homerless stretch and gave the Blue Jays a 7-3 lead.
The Blue Jays announced the milestone through their official X account, confirming Okamoto had become the franchise’s new rookie home run leader. Hinske set the previous record during his 2002 American League Rookie of the Year campaign.
Okamoto entered Tuesday with 24 home runs and had already surpassed Shohei Ohtani’s MLB record for most homers by a Japanese-born rookie, which stood at 22. His latest homer added another major achievement to his first season in the majors and gave Toronto a timely spark against a division leader.
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
The 30-year-old has provided Toronto with considerable power since arriving from Japan’s Yomiuri Giants. The adjustment to MLB has been significant, but his power has translated quickly. His 25 home runs now lead all Blue Jays rookies, while his RBI total has also made him one of the club’s most productive young hitters.
Toronto’s victory improved its record to 62-65 and kept the club within reach of the American League playoff picture. Okamoto’s record-breaking homer was one of three Toronto home runs in the win, with Josh Smith and Alejandro Kirk also going deep.
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