Fans and players stand for the Canadian national anthem prior to season opening MLB baseball action between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Athletics in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn
Kazuma Okamoto scored the winning run in his Blue Jays debut and Kevin Gausman had 11 strikeouts as Toronto opened its 50th anniversary season with a 3-2 walkoff victory over the Athletics on Friday night.
Okamoto hit a two-out single in the ninth inning and moved to third on an Ernie Clement double. Andres Gimenez ended the game with a single up the middle off reliever Justin Sterner.
Gausman set a franchise record in the fifth inning when he fanned Max Muncy for his 10th strikeout, the most on opening day in team history.
A solo homer by Shea Langeliers was the lone blemish over his six-inning outing.
The Blue Jays took advantage of a fielding blunder to score two runs in the fifth against Athletics starter Luis Severino.
Outfielders Denzel Clarke and Tyler Soderstrom got their signals crossed on a drive by Gimenez. The ball dropped between them in left-centre field and bounced to the warning track, allowing Okamoto and Clement to score on the triple.
The start of the game was delayed about 35 minutes for player introductions and a ceremony to recognize the team’s 2025 American League title. The sellout crowd of 42,728 roared as a new banner was unveiled above the large video screen at Rogers Centre.
Here are some photos from the game.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2026.
The Toronto Blue Jays players are introduced during the home opener against the Athletics prior to MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteThe 2025 ALCS and AL East championship banner, right, hangs along with banners from previous seasons during MLB baseball action between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Athletics in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnFans and players watch a pregame ceremony prior to season opening MLB baseball action between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Athletics in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnFans and players watch a pregame ceremony prior to season opening MLB baseball action between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Athletics in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnFormer Toronto Blue Jays players Jose Bautista, top left to right, Vernon Wells, Pat Hentgen, George Bell and Ernie Whitt throw out the ceremonial first pitches prior to season opening MLB baseball action between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Athletics in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws a pitch against the Athletics during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteAthletics pitcher Luis Severino (40) works against the Toronto Blue Jays during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) takes a foul ball off the foot against the Athletics during third inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteAthletics’ Lawrence Butler (4) grounds out against the Toronto Blue Jays during second inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteToronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) reacts after throwing a strikeout against the Athletics during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteToronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) smiles while running back to the dugout during third inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteAthletics’ Shea Langeliers (23) celebrates his solo home run with Tyler Soderstrom (21) as Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (right) looks on during fourth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) holds on to the ball after forcing out Athletics’ Tyler Soderstrom during fourth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement (22) slides safely into second base on a double as Athletics second baseman Jeff McNeil (22) tries to tag during fifth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteToronto Blue Jays’ Ernie Clement (left) slides into second base on a double ahead of the tag from Athletics second baseman Jeff McNeil (22) during fifth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays’ Andres Gimenez (0) reacts after hitting a triple against the Athletics during fifth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteToronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto (left) and Ernie Clement (22) celebrate after they both scored during fifth inning MLB baseball action against the Athletics in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays shortstop Andres Gimenez (right) forces out Athletics’ Tyler Soderstrom (21) and throws to first base to complete the double play during seventh inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnAthletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) throws to first base to force out Toronto Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) during eighth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays outfielder Daulton Varsho (5) watches a home run go over the fence against the Athletics during ninth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteToronto Blue Jays pitcher Jeff Hoffman (23) reacts after a solo home run by Athletics’ Shea Langeliers during ninth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteToronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto (7) hits a single against the Athletics for his first major league hit during seventh inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays’ Andres Gimenez (0) hits a walkoff RBI single against the Athletics during ninth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteToronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto (7) scores the winning run against the Athletics during ninth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays’ Andres Gimenez (0) celebrates a walkoff RBI single against the Athletics during ninth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteToronto Blue Jays’ Andres Gimenez (0) reacts after hitting a walkoff RBI single against the Athletics during ninth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan DenetteToronto Blue Jays’ Andres Gimenez (0) celebrates his walkoff single against the Athletics with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) during ninth inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto (left) is doused by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. after defeating the Athletics in MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank GunnToronto Blue Jays’ Andres Gimenez (0) is doused by teammates after defeating the Athletics in MLB baseball action in Toronto on Friday, March 27, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
The Canadian Press is Canada's trusted news source and leader in providing real-time, bilingual multimedia stories across print, broadcast and digital platforms.
