Springer, Sanchez and Okamoto hit homers as Jays beat A’s 5-2 for three-game sweep
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
We need your support!
Local journalism needs your support!
As we navigate through unprecedented times, our journalists are working harder than ever to bring you the latest local updates to keep you safe and informed.
Now, more than ever, we need your support.
Starting at $15.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website.
Subscribe Nowor call circulation directly at (204) 727-0527.
Your pledge helps to ensure we provide the news that matters most to your community!
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Brandon Sun access to your Free Press subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
*Your next subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $20.00 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.00 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
TORONTO –
George Springer, Jesus Sanchez and Kazuma Okamoto hit homers and Eric Lauer had nine strikeouts as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Athletics 5-2 on Sunday to complete a three-game series sweep.
Springer turned on the first pitch Luis Morales (0-1) threw for his 64th career leadoff home run. Sanchez added a two-run shot in the third inning and Okamoto added a solo blast in the fourth.
Lauer (1-0) struck out the side in the opening frame. He allowed three hits, two earned runs and a walk over 5 1/3 innings.
The left-hander didn’t allow a baserunner until Nick Kurtz drew a one-out walk in the fourth. Jacob Wilson led off the fifth inning with a double for the Athletics’ first hit and scored on a home run by Max Muncy.
Toronto answered in the bottom half when Addison Barger walked with the bases loaded to plate Tyler Heineman.
Braydon Fisher, Tommy Nance, Mason Fluharty and Jeff Hoffman worked in relief for the Blue Jays in front of 36,484 spectators at Rogers Centre.
It was Hoffman’s first save. The Blue Jays outhit the Athletics 6-5.
TAKEAWAYS
Blue Jays: Toronto pitchers set a franchise record by recording 50 strikeouts in the series. The previous high of 45 for a three-game set was set April 28-30, 2023 against the Seattle Mariners.
Athletics: Shea Langeliers cooled off Sunday after torching the Blue Jays for three homers over the first two games. He had a single and two strikeouts.
KEY MOMENT
Springer set the tone with his rainbow blast that travelled 362 feet over the wall in left field.
KEY STAT
The Blue Jays swept 11 series last season. Only the Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers (with 12) had more.
COMING UP
The Blue Jays will continue their six-game homestand Monday against the Colorado Rockies.
Toronto’s Cody Ponce is scheduled to start against fellow right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano in the season debut for both pitchers.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 29, 2026.