Okamoto and Smith hit homers to help Blue Jays down Athletics 4-2

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Kazuma Okamoto and Josh Smith hit home runs, Jose Soriano worked seven innings of two-run ball, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Athletics 4-2 on Tuesday night.

Toronto (73-73) sits a game behind the Cleveland Guardians for the third and final AL wild-card spot.

Smith, who was traded from the Texas Rangers on Aug. 3, opened the scoring in the second inning with a 360-foot shot to give Toronto a 1-0 lead. In his 20 games with the Blue Jays, he has five homers.

Okamoto followed in the next at-bat with the 30th home run of his rookie season. He joins White Sox rookie first baseman Munetaka Murakami as the only other Japanese-born player to accomplish the feat in his rookie campaign.

The milestone also marked the first time in major league history that three rookies have hit 30 or more home runs in the same season. Cincinnati's Sal Stewart is the other.

Alejandro Kirk hit an RBI single, and Smith capped the scoring by grounding into a one-run double play.

Soriano (12-7), who was traded from the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 3 as well, struck out three and gave up six hits. Spencer Miles worked two hitless innings for his second save of the season.

Carlos Cortes and Donovan Walton each had home runs for the Athletics.

Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins (3-11) allowed all four runs on seven hits while fanning three.

Up next

Athletics’ LHP Brady Basso (1-2, 4.32 ERA) takes the mound while the Blue Jays have yet to announce a starter for the series finale on Wednesday.

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This story has been updated to correct Toronto’s record and wild-card situation.

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