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| Kazuma Okamoto drove in 3 runs in a 6-5 comeback win over the Reds |
After an off-day/travel day yesterday, the Blue Jays opened the final series of the 2026 regular season against the Cincinnati Reds. The Blue Jays won the season series lsst year, outscoring the Reds 29-23. CJ Van Eyk was optioned to the Spring training complex. Righty John Klein was optioned from AAA-ball. Jose Soriano got the start with Alejandro Kirk beihind the plate. Vlad was back in the lineup and at 1B after getting the 2nd game of Wednesday's double-header off. George Springer served as DH. Kazuma Okamoto was at the hot corner and Charles McAdoo was at 2B. Could the Blue Jays snap the 3-game skid and start the final weekend of the season on a winning note? Here is tonight's game recap.
Game Highlights:
- The Blue Jays opened the scoring in the bottom of the 1st as Alejandro Kirk doubled scoring Charles McAdoo
- Three batters later, Kazuma Okamoto singled scoring Kirk
- The Reds got one back in the top of the 2nd as Eugenio Suarez hammered a solo bomb to the 2d deck in left
- The Reds took the lead in the top of the 3rd as Elly De La Cruz doubled scoring Oswaldo Cabrera and Carlos Jorge
- A batter later, Sal Stewart singled home De La Cruz
- Three batters, Stewart scored on a ground out hit by Hector Rodriguez
- Jose Soriano pitching line: 3IP 8H 5R (all earned) 0BB 2K 48 pitches (36 for strikes)
- Nick Lodolo pitching line: 5IP 7H 2R 2BB 3K 92 pitches (54 for strikes)
- The Blue Jays got one back in the bottom of the 7th as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled scoring Andres Gimenez
- Two batters later, Okamoto doubled scoring Kirk and Guerrero Jr.
- A batter later, Nathan Lukes singled scoring George Springer
- Louis Varland threw a perfect 9th for his 35th save of the season
- Final score: Blue Jays 6 Reds 5
- Jose Soriano battled through 3 innings, giving up 5 runs on 8 hits while walking none and striking out 2, Soriano retired the first 4 hitters he faced, then the wheels fell off starting with Eugenio Suuarez drilling one into the second deck in left. He was fortunate to escape the 2nd with just 1 run allowed. His luck didn't hold in the next inning with the Reds scoring 4 more times on 5 hits. Soriano was 3-2 with a 5.30 ERA over 10 starts. Definitely something to build on.
- The bullpen threw 6 scoreless innings, giving up 4 hits, walking 1 and striking out 9. Mason Fluharty was credited with the win. Louis Varland, who has pretty much been Mr. automatic as a closer, notched his 35th save of the season with relative ease. Brendan Cellucci, who pitched 2 innings and struck out 3, looks like he could be a good option as a lefty in next year's bullpen.
- The bats rallied in the 7th to send the fans home happy. Kazuma Okamoto continues to make his case to be the Blue Jays 3rd rookie of the year. Big Oak drove in 3 runs today. Alejandro Kirk is also finishing the season strong, driving in 1 and striking out twice.
- Alejandro Kirk was 1-1 on ABS challenges and the Reds were successful on their only ABS challenge
- The Blue Jays were 2-6 with runners in scoring position
- Up next, the Blue Jays try to make it 2 straight wins and notch their 25th series win of the season and 12th season series win of the season. Trey Yesavage starts against Reds righty Rhett Lowder
