Okamoto hits solo shot, Gausman in form as the Blue Jays top Guardians 5-3

By: Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press Posted: 4:55 PM CDT Saturday, Apr. 25, 2026

TORONTO - Kazuma Okamoto hit a solo homer and Kevin Gausman was effective over 6 2/3 innings as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 on Saturday at Rogers Centre.

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TORONTO - Kazuma Okamoto hit a solo homer and Kevin Gausman was effective over 6 2/3 innings as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 on Saturday at Rogers Centre.

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TORONTO – Kazuma Okamoto hit a solo homer and Kevin Gausman was effective over 6 2/3 innings as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cleveland Guardians 5-3 on Saturday at Rogers Centre.

Okamoto hit a no-doubt blast in the fourth inning and the Blue Jays chased Cleveland starter Joey Cantillo in a three-run sixth.

Louis Varland survived a nervy ninth inning before picking up his second save. He gave up a run before striking out Brayan Rocchio with the bases loaded to end it.

Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians during a Major League Baseball game in Toronto on April 25, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Toronto (11-15) improved its home record to 7-7 in front of a sellout crowd of 41,543.

Daulton Varsho drove in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with the go-ahead run in the sixth and Andres Gimenez added a two-run double on a ball that landed on the foul line in the left-field corner.

Gausman (2-1), who gave up a solo homer to David Fry, allowed two earned runs and six hits while striking out three.

Cantillo (1-1) allowed three earned runs, six hits and a walk for the Guardians (15-13). He had four strikeouts.

TAKEAWAYS

Blue Jays: The injury-plagued roster took another hit as outfielder Nathan Lukes was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left hamstring strain. Some help is coming to the mound though as Trey Yesavage is set to make his season debut Tuesday. Eric Lauer will move to the bullpen as a long reliever.

Guardians: Rejigged their lineup shortly before the game as outfielder Steven Kwan was scratched with a stiff neck. Angel Martinez replaced Kwan in the leadoff spot. Kwan is hitting .440 over his last 12 games against Toronto.

KEY MOMENT

Okamoto’s 425-foot blast landed in a standing-room section above the wall in centre field.

KEY STAT

The Blue Jays improved to 2-6 against American League Central Division opponents this season.

COMING UP

The teams will wrap up the three-game series Sunday. Left-hander Patrick Corbin (0-0, 3.68) was scheduled to start for Toronto against right-hander Slade Cecconi (0-3, 6.20).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 25, 2026.