Gausman fans 11, Gimenez drives in Okamoto to give Jays a walkoff 3-2 win over A’s

TORONTO — On a night when the Toronto Blue Jays celebrated their past, the team showed why the future looks bright too.

Kevin Gausman had 11 strikeouts and Andres Gimenez drove in Kazuma Okamoto with the winning run for a 3-2 walkoff victory over the Athletics in Toronto’s season opener Friday night at Rogers Centre.

“That’s kind of the definition of a Blue Jays win the last couple months of last season,” Gausman said. “So it was nice to see us get right back to it. Timely hitting, good pitching, great defence.

“(That’s) kind of what our strengths are and so (it was) fun to watch.”

The start of the game was delayed about 35 minutes for player introductions and a ceremony to celebrate the team’s 50th anniversary and 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.

A blown save opportunity by Jeff Hoffman in the top of the ninth inning brought back memories of the last game played in this building – a Game 7 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.

This time around, the Blue Jays recovered. Okamoto hit a two-out single, moved to third on an Ernie Clement double and scored when Gimenez singled off Justin Sterner (0-1).

“There were some really, really good performances,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “I can’t say enough about what (Gausman) did on the mound. And Kaz coming out swinging. So a total team win.”

Gausman and Athletics starter Luis Severino were in top form over the early going. Gausman struck out the side in the first inning while Severino didn’t allow a hit until Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled in the fourth.

A solo homer by Shea Langeliers was the lone blemish over Gausman’s six-inning outing.

The Blue Jays took advantage of a fielding blunder to score two runs in the fifth against Severino.

Outfielders Denzel Clarke and Tyler Soderstrom got their signals crossed on a drive to left-centre field by Gimenez. The ball dropped between them and bounced to the warning track, allowing Okamoto and Clement to score on the triple.

Louis Varland and submarine reliever Tyler Rogers worked a scoreless frame apiece to set things up for Hoffman, who got a strikeout on Toronto’s first use of the ABS challenge system.

The solo homer to Langeliers – who had all three of Oakland’s hits – followed.

Okamoto, who signed a four-year deal after a decade-long run in Japan, had his first major-league hit in the seventh inning. He finished with two hits, two runs and a base on balls.

“I’m just really happy we got the win,” he said via an interpreter.

Schneider was impressed with the Japanese slugger’s ability to take an eight-pitch walk before delivering with the bat later in the game.`

“We think he’s going to fit in quite well,” he said. “It was a good start for him.”

Gausman threw 60 of his 83 pitches for strikes. Severino had three strikeouts over five innings and gave up two earned runs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 27, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press