The Toronto Blue Jays rallied for an 8-7 victory over the Oakland Athletics in 11 innings on Saturday, marking their second consecutive walk-off win to open the 2026 season. Ernie Clement delivered the game-winning line drive into left-center, while Spencer Miles earned the win in his MLB debut. Dylan Cease set a franchise debut record with 12 strikeouts earlier in the game.
TORONTO -- The Blue Jays pulled out another thrilling comeback, defeating the Athletics 8-7 in the bottom of the 11th when Ernie Clement lined a drive into left-center for the walk-off hit. Crowds chanted “Ernie! Ernie! Ernie!” as teammates mobbed him on the field at Rogers Centre. This marked the first time since 2014 that any team started a season with back-to-back walk-offs; the Tigers and Pirates did it that year, but the Blue Jays had never achieved it before. Clement said, “We’re battling. We’re fighting back. We’re picking guys up. That’s what was special about last year’s team, and that’s what will be special about this team. We’re never out of it.” Spencer Miles, a 25-year-old Rule 5 Draft pick who had never pitched above Single-A due to surgeries, delivered a scoreless top of the 11th in his big-league debut, topping 98 mph and notching his first strikeout against Max Muncy. He earned the win amid a beer shower celebration. “First timer. First time for a lot of things,” Miles said. “First PFP, first out, first strikeout, first win, all in your debut in the 11th inning. That’s pretty sweet.” The game featured early dominance by starter Dylan Cease, who struck out 12 over 5 1/3 innings of one-run ball, setting a Blue Jays debut record previously held by David Price's 11 in 2015. Cease touched 100 mph and fanned seven straight from the third through fifth innings. “That was a blast,” Cease said of the atmosphere. “It’s just an electric atmosphere. I think that really does make a difference.” Relief faltered in the seventh when Mason Fluharty took two comebackers off his right leg, diagnosed with a knee contusion but negative X-rays. Brendon Little then allowed Shea Langeliers' grand slam. Alejandro Kirk tied it with his first homer of 2026 in the ninth.
