Toronto Blue Jays player hits 22nd home run to tie Japanese-born rookie record

A Toronto Blue Jays player hit his 22nd home run Friday night to tie the single-season record for home runs by a Japanese-born rookie in the major leagues. The player homered into the left-field seats on a 95 mph sinker from a San Diego Padres reliever with one out in the fifth inning. The three-run shot gave the Blue Jays a three-run lead in their eventual 5-3 win.

The player finished 1-for-3 in the game. He struck out in his first two at-bats and fouled off three straight pitches before connecting on the seven-pitch at-bat. "Obviously, you guys all know Shohei is an awesome player, he's the unicorn," the player said through an interpreter.

The player, age 30, hit his first grand slam Wednesday in San Francisco. His 22 home runs before the All-Star break are the most by a Blue Jays player since two teammates each hit 22 or more in 2021, and the most by a Toronto rookie in franchise history. A Blue Jays manager said the player has power and continues to adjust pitch to pitch and game to game.

The player is in elite territory with the record, the manager added.