Kazuma Okamoto broke a sixth inning tie with a solo home run and the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Miami Marlins 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon, continuing Toronto’s recent surge.
Okamoto’s 11th homer of the season proved to be the difference as the Blue Jays won for the eighth time in their last 12 games. The blast came off Miami left hander Andrew Nardi and snapped a long power drought for Okamoto, who had not homered since May 5 at Tampa Bay.
The dramatic swing came in Okamoto’s first plate appearance after being drilled by a 97 mph fastball from Marlins starter Eury Pérez. Following the hit-by-pitch, Pérez appeared to stare toward Toronto’s dugout, prompting Blue Jays manager John Schneider to exchange words with the young right hander. The situation quickly cooled without further incident.
Pérez was dominant before his early exit, striking out a season high nine batters over four shutout innings. He allowed only three singles and did not issue a walk, but his afternoon ended abruptly after he experienced spasms in his right hamstring while stretching in the dugout.
Miami grabbed an early lead in the first inning when Otto Lopez continued his torrid day at the plate with an RBI single. Lopez finished 4 for 4 and accounted for much of the Marlins’ offense, but Miami could not add on against Toronto starter Kevin Gausman.
Gausman settled in after the opening inning and worked five innings, allowing one run on six hits while keeping the Marlins off balance long enough for Toronto’s offense to rally.
The Blue Jays tied the game in the fifth after Pérez departed. Reliever Michael Petersen entered protecting a 1-0 lead, but Tyler Heineman drew a two out walk and scored when Nathan Lukes ripped a game tying double.
An inning later, Okamoto delivered the decisive blow, sending Nardi’s pitch over the wall to put Toronto ahead 2-1.
Miami threatened to rally in the eighth inning against Louis Varland after putting runners on first and second with nobody out. However, the Marlins failed to capitalize. Jakob Marsee grounded into a fielder’s choice, then was caught stealing second base while Connor Norby struck out, ending the threat.
Jeff Hoffman recorded four outs to earn the victory and improve to 3-3 on the season. Tyler Rogers closed the door in the ninth for his second save in four opportunities.
Toronto also welcomed back Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who returned to the lineup after missing two games with a sore right elbow suffered when he was hit by a pitch on Sunday.
The loss was Miami’s second straight after a four game winning streak.
The Marlins will open a series Friday in New York with right-hander Max Meyer (5-0, 2.52 ERA) scheduled to face the Mets. Toronto heads to Baltimore on Thursday, where left hander Patrick Corbin (2-1, 3.86 ERA) is expected to start against the Orioles.
