Cease fans 12 in Blue Jays debut as Toronto comes back for 8-7 win in 11 innings

TORONTO —

Ernie Clement drove in Nathan Lukes with the winning run in the 11th inning to give the Toronto Blue Jays an 8-7 comeback victory over the Athletics on Saturday at Rogers Centre.

With Lukes aboard as the automatic runner, right-hander Luis Medina (0-1) struck out Alejandro Kirk and intentionally walked Daulton Varsho to get to Clement.

The Toronto second baseman responded with a sharp RBI single to give the Blue Jays their second straight walkoff victory.

Kirk hit a solo homer in the ninth to force extra innings. After the Athletics scored in the top of the 10th, Addison Barger brought home Jesus Sanchez with a deep sacrifice fly to tie it.

Andres Gimenez had four singles for the Blue Jays, who outhit the Athletics 14-8. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached base four times on a single and three walks.

Spencer Miles (1-0) worked the top of the 11th inning for the win.

Shea Langeliers hit a grand slam in the seventh inning to give the A’s a 6-2 lead. Reliever Mason Fluharty was hit by back-to-back comebackers to open the frame, with the second one knocking him out of the game.

The Athletics went on to load the bases against Brendon Little, who gave up the blast to Langeliers that capped a five-run inning.

The Blue Jays answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh and added two more runs in the eighth.

Starter Dylan Cease struck out 12 batters in his Toronto debut.

He signed a seven-year deal with the Blue Jays in the off-season worth US$210 million. It was the largest free-agent contract in franchise history.

The 30-year-old right-hander was as advertised over his 5 1/3 innings.

He set a franchise record for most strikeouts in a debut with the team, helped by a fastball that touched 99.8 m.p.h. and a nasty slider that left batters guessing.

TAKEAWAYS

Blue Jays: There was only a slight drop-off at the turnstiles after Opening Night in front of a sellout crowd on Friday. A near-sellout of 40,268 took in the mid-afternoon matchup.

Athletics: Three infield singles – including one by Toronto native Denzel Clarke – and a walk preceded the grand slam. It was Langeliers’ third home run of the young season.

KEY MOMENT

Clement worked a full count against Medina before driving a fastball to left-centre field.

KEY STAT

Springer’s double was the 250th two-base hit of his career.

COMING UP

Blue Jays southpaw Eric Lauer (9-2, 3.18 ERA in 2025) was scheduled to start the series finale on Sunday against right-hander Luis Morales (4-3, 3.14).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2026.