The Toronto Blue Jays faced the Tampa Bay Rays in the first game of a three-game series at Rogers Centre in Toronto on May 11. Infielder Kazuma Okamoto started at third base and batted cleanup. He entered the game on a nine-game hitting streak and a 12-game on-base streak, both the longest of his MLB career. He also tied his personal best with three consecutive games with an RBI, raising expectations that he could extend all three streaks. The opposing starter was Rasmussen, whom Okamoto had faced earlier in the season on the road, hitting his 10th home run of the year—a solo shot to right-center field.
The Rays, who had only one game over .500 on April 21, have since surged to 13 games above .500 after sweeping the Blue Jays in a three-game series starting May 4. Manager John Schneider stressed the importance of solving the Rays’ starting pitching, noting, “The biggest key is how we handle their starters. They do a good job of staying ahead of us, so we need to adjust early.”
Before the game, Okamoto took his routine early batting practice outside. Joining him were regular early birds Straw and Schneider, both of whom wore the custom “Quesadilla T-shirt” featuring Okamoto’s likeness. Okamoto’s favorite Mexican dish, quesadilla, has become a team staple—it is even served as ballpark food. The hope is that the “quesadilla power” will help Okamoto continue his success against Rasmussen, against whom he has historically performed well.
