Okamoto Hits First MLB Grand Slam, Nears Ohtani's Rookie Home Run Record

Kazuma Okamoto launched his first career MLB grand slam and 21st home run of the season on July 8, powering the Blue Jays to a decisive 10-0 shutout against the Giants. The Japanese slugger, who signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Blue Jays in the offseason, connected for the bases-loaded blast in the top of the first inning, driving in five runs and setting the tone for the game.

With his 21st homer, Okamoto is now on the cusp of history, sitting just one home run shy of Shohei Ohtani's MLB rookie record of 22 home runs set in 2018. Okamoto added another hit in the eighth inning, finishing the game with two hits in five at-bats, four RBIs, and a .237 batting average.

On the mound, Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease was dominant. He retired the first 14 batters he faced and carried a no-hitter into the ninth inning. Cease ultimately finished with an exceptional performance, striking out 11 batters over 8 scoreless innings to earn his sixth win of the season. The no-hitter was broken up in the bottom of the ninth, but Cease's stellar outing secured the commanding victory for his team.