Okamoto Ties Ohtani’s Japanese Rookie HR Mark in Toronto Win

Kazuma Okamoto launched a three‑run, tie‑breaking home run against Jhony Brito, knotted with Shohei Ohtani’s 22‑home‑run output from the 2018 season. The blast in the fifth inning secured a 5‑3 victory for the Toronto Blue Jays over the San Diego Padres on Friday night. It marked the most homers by a Japanese‑born rookie in a single MLB season, matching Ohtani’s career high.

Okamoto’s Record‑Setting Season

The 30‑year‑old outfielder now boasts 22 homers before the All‑Star break, the most by a Blue Jays hitter since Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s 28 in 2019 and Marcus Semien’s 22 the following year. Okamoto also added his first grand slam just days earlier against San Francisco, boosting his rookie impact in Toronto. His total stands as the most home runs ever by a Toronto rookie in franchise history.

The three‑run shot came on a 95‑mph sinker with one out in the fifth, erasing the deficit and delivering the win. The blow tied the Japanese rookie milestone and propelled the Blue Jays out of a three‑game losing skid. Toronto’s offense also featured Xander Bogaerts’ two‑run homer, his ninth of the season, breaking a 128‑plate‑appearance homerless streak.

Blue Jays Break Losing Streak

San Diego’s loss was its 11th in 14 games, while the Blue Jays snapped a three‑game losing run with the victory. Starter JP Sears took the loss, falling to 2‑2 after surrendering singles that loaded the bases before Guerrero Jr. drove in a run. Louis Varland closed out the win with his 19th save, allowing a single run in the ninth.

Mason Fluharty earned the win with a solid outing, improving to 4‑0. Shane Bieber returned to the mound for the Blue Jays, giving up two runs on six hits over 4 2/3 innings. The righty, who missed early season action due to forearm fatigue, made his season debut on June 23.

What It Means for Toronto

Okamoto’s tie of Ohtani’s Japanese rookie homer record adds a new benchmark for future Japanese players in MLB. The home run also reinforced the Blue Jays’ resurgence after a recent slump, giving the roster confidence heading into the mid‑season stretch. Toronto now sits comfortably in contention, with a rookie providing a clutch moment that could influence the playoff race.

The win also highlighted the depth of Toronto’s lineup, where both veteran power (Guerrero Jr., Semien) and young breakout performance (Okamoto) coexist. As the team looks toward the second half, the record‑tying homer could serve as a catalyst for further offensive spikes. Expect the Blue Jays to build on this momentum as they prepare for upcoming series.

Up Next

Saturday night’s matchup pits Blue Jays right‑hander Trey Yesavage (4‑4, 3.31 ERA) against Padres right‑hander Walker Buehler (5‑5, 5.07 ERA). Both pitchers are seeking momentum after recent outings, with Yesavage looking to continue his solid season and Buehler hoping to turn around a higher ERA. The game marks a key point for both clubs as they vie for postseason spots.