'TWICE' fan, Japan's top hitter, explodes with back-to-back home runs in first appearance after advancing to the U.S. — Season 6th and 7th home runs light up the field

*This content was translated by AI.

Okamoto Kazuma (30, Toronto Blue Jays), a Japanese national team infielder who dominated Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) during his time with the Yomiuri Giants and advanced to Major League Baseball ahead of this season, showcased his power by hitting back-to-back multi-home runs in consecutive at-bats in his MLB debut.

On the 2nd (Korean time), Okamoto started as the cleanup hitter and third baseman in an away game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., going 2-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs, and three runs scored. He hit his 6th and 7th home runs of the season in succession.

Okamoto's bat, which had been silent, finally ignited in the bottom of the 4th inning when he led off the second at-bat. Facing opposing starter Simeon Woods Richardson with a 3-ball, 1-strike count favorable to the batter, Okamoto connected on the fifth pitch, a slider on the outside corner, and sent it over the left-field wall. The hit traveled at 104.8 mph (approximately 168.6 km/h) and covered a distance of 390 feet (approximately 118.8 meters), marking a massive home run.

Okamoto's momentum continued into the bottom of the 5th inning. With the Twins trailing 4-2 and one out with a runner on first base, Okamoto stepped up to the plate again and lifted Woods Richardson's first-pitch low splitter over the left-field wall. The shot was a sharp line-drive with a launch angle of 22 degrees. The exit velocity reached 110.2 mph (approximately 177 km/h), even faster than the previous hit. This was Okamoto's first multi-home game since joining Major League Baseball.

Okamoto was undeniably the top hitter in NPB. Drafted first overall by the Yomiuri Giants in the 2014 rookie draft, Okamoto debuted in the first division in the 2015 season and accumulated an impressive career record over 11 seasons: 1,074 games played, a .277 batting average (3,934 at-bats, 1,089 hits), 248 home runs, and 717 RBIs. He won the Central League home run title an impressive three times (2020 season, 2021 season, and 2023 season). The third baseman position for the Japanese national team was Okamoto's domain.

At the same time, Okamoto has long been known as a passionate fan of the South Korean girl group 'TWICE' since his days in Japan. During his time with the Yomiuri Giants, he made listening to TWICE songs part of his daily morning routine, reflecting his unique love for K-pop. His skills were also among the best in Japan, and he joined the Toronto Blue Jays this season with high expectations.

After going through an adjustment period, Okamoto proved with these back-to-back home runs that his power translates effectively to Major League Baseball. Notably, he recorded the first multi-home run game of the season, a feat not yet achieved by Murakami Munetaka (Chicago White Sox), who had previously led the league with 12 home runs, thereby restoring his pride. His season batting average also rose from .218 to .228, and his OPS (on-base plus slugging) reached 0.743.

Thanks to Okamoto's two home runs, Toronto firmly seized control of the game in the middle innings and defeated Minnesota 7-3.

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*This content was translated by AI.