Baseball: Okamoto hits 26th home run as Blue Jays overpower Rays 5-1
ST. PETERSBURG, Florida (Kyodo) -- Kazuma Okamoto helped power the Toronto Blue Jays to a 5-1 win against the Tampa Bay Rays with his 26th home run of
On Thursday, Kazuma Okamoto contributed significantly to the Toronto Blue Jays' 5-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Japanese infielder, who is a rookie for the Blue Jays, broke the ice with a powerful solo home run in the top of the second inning. The 415-foot blast landed in left field, marking his 26th home run of the season and extending his record as the most homers by a Blue Jays rookie.
Okamoto expressed his satisfaction with the long blast, which was one of three Toronto home runs hit that day.
The 30-year-old former Yomiuri Giants player took sole possession of the record with his 25th home run during the series-opening win against the Rays on Tuesday. Following a slow start to the season, the Blue Jays are gaining ground in the AL Wild Card race, currently sitting at 63-66, just a half-game behind the Minnesota Twins, who hold the final Wild Card spot at 63-65. Texas Rangers also sit at 63-65.
Okamoto and his teammates will continue to push for a postseason berth as they face the New York Yankees on Friday. Okamoto expressed his determination to give it his all again the next day, emphasizing the need to adjust properly during practice and go into the game ready for the pitchers, which vary each day.
Written by urgent.news from The Mainichi's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
