The Toronto Blue Jays are wrapping up a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants today. It is their first series in the Bay Area since July 2024.
The Blue Jays lost the first game 10-1, won the second 9-3, and now received a big boost from rookie Kazuma Okamoto to start the finale. In the first inning, Okamoto swatted a grand slam to right field to put his club up 5-0.
The blast came off Giants ace Logan Webb and was the first grand slam he allowed this season. It was also the first of Okamoto’s young career, and he received a new home run prop after the fact.
The third baseman received a “home run dragon” after the first inning grand slam. The celebration started in Tuesday’s game when outfielder Jonatan Clase hammered a three-run shot in the top of the second inning.
The Blue Jays’ home run jacket has been around for some time now, so this new home run celebration device has some catching up to do. Its continued presence may depend on how the rest of the season goes for Toronto.
The grand slam was the first by a Blue Jays rookie since 2019, when Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Cavan Biggio and Rowdy Tellez all had at least one. Guerrero and Tellez hit two, and Guerrero’s slam on July 30 was the last by a Blue Jays rookie.
Okamoto previously played in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league before coming to MLB this season. He inked a four-year, $60 million contract with Toronto this past winter.
The 30-year-old is having a fantastic first year in MLB up to this point. Through 90 games, he is slashing .235/.313/.462 (.775 OPS) with 21 home runs and 59 RBIs. He leads the club by a long shot in home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and OPS.
Okamoto’s success has been the biggest thing holding the Blue Jays afloat at the moment. They are 43-49, third place in the American League East and 11 ½ games behind the first-place Tampa Bay Rays.
The team will continue the West Coast trip with three games against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. The first game is Friday at 9:40 p.m. ET. The Blue Jays are yet to name a starter, but it will likely be Shane Bieber (0-1, 9.00 ERA).
