Kazuma Okamoto's 23rd home run this season rewrites Shohei Ohtani's Japanese rookie record.

On July 25, Japanese power hitter Kazuma Okamoto of the Toronto Blue Jays once again etched his name in history while visiting the Boston Red Sox. Hitting his 23rd homer of the season in the top of the seventh inning, he broke Shohei Ohtani's 22-home run rookie record from 2018, establishing a new mark for Japanese players in their MLB debut season.

At that time, the Blue Jays were trailing 0-4. With one out and runners on first and second in the top of the 7th inning, Okamoto faced Red Sox reliever Rob Zastryzny. He locked onto the first pitch, a 96.3 mph sinker, and launched it to center field, a three-run homer with a distance of 408 feet and an exit velocity of 100.9 mph. This not only narrowed the score but also ended his personal slump of 10 consecutive games without a home run.

Okamoto had been in a hitting slump before this game, going 27 consecutive plate appearances without a hit, and was also suppressed in his first two at-bats against Red Sox starter Victor Sandoval. However, he hit a double to left field in the 5th inning, ending his hitless streak, and then proved his batting form was gradually recovering with a home run in the 7th inning.

So far this year, Kazuma Okamoto has accumulated 23 home runs and 62 RBIs, still leading the Blue Jays in both categories. With 58 games remaining in the regular season, he has a chance to challenge 30 home runs and even approach the 40-homer mark. Meanwhile, the Blue Jays are actively vying for an AL wild card spot, and Okamoto's power output will be a crucial factor in the team's push for the playoffs.