Cease strikes out 12 in Blue Jays debut as Toronto tops Athletics 8-7

Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease (84) throws during the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Athletics in Toronto on March 28, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Starting pitcher Dylan Cease was as advertised in his Blue Jays debut Saturday at Rogers Centre.

The veteran right-hander, who signed a seven-year, US$210-million deal with the Blue Jays in the off-season, had 12 strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings as Toronto came back for an 8-7 win over the Athletics.

“You saw all of his stuff,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “When he’s throwing his curveball for strikes, he threw the change-up at the right time today, which is going to be a weapon for him I think, and it makes the heater and the slider that much better.

“So that’s what we were looking for when we acquired him and what we’ve been talking about all spring. He executed it really, really well today.”

Cease’s contract was the largest free-agent contract in franchise history. He set a team record for most strikeouts in a debut performance.

“I still feel like I’m kind of fine-tuning things and trying to find more consistency,” Cease said. “But I mean, I’ll take that for sure.”

Ernie Clement drove in Nathan Lukes with the winning run in the 11th inning to give the Blue Jays their second straight walkoff win.

With Lukes aboard as the automatic runner, right-hander Luis Medina (0-1) struck out Alejandro Kirk and intentionally walked Daulton Varsho to get to Clement.

The Toronto second baseman responded with a sharp RBI single to the delight of the 40,268 fans in attendance. Clement was asked whether he takes it personally when the opposing team intentionally walks a batter to get him to the plate.

“How could you not? It just kind of fuels it,” Clement said. “That’s happened a bunch. That’s metrically the right play, analytically probably the right play. But I’m well-prepared and well-equipped to handle those situations.”

Kirk hit a solo homer in the ninth to force extra innings as Toronto clawed back from a four-run deficit. After the Athletics scored in the 10th, Addison Barger brought home Jesus Sanchez with a deep sacrifice fly to pull the Blue Jays even again.

Andres Gimenez had four singles for the Blue Jays, who outhit the Athletics 14-8. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reached base four times on a single and three walks.

Spencer Miles (1-0) worked the top of the 11th inning for the win in his Blue Jays debut.

Shea Langeliers hit a grand slam in the seventh inning to give the A’s a 6-2 lead. Reliever Mason Fluharty was hit by back-to-back comebackers to open the frame, with the second one knocking him out of the game.

The Athletics went on to load the bases against Brendon Little, who gave up the blast to Langeliers that capped a five-run inning. The Blue Jays answered with a run in the bottom of the seventh and added two more runs in the eighth.

Schneider said Fluharty suffered a contusion and his X-rays were negative. He may be available for Sunday’s series finale.

Cease had 24 whiffs and threw 61 of his 90 pitches for strikes. He had seven consecutive strikeouts from the third to the fifth inning.

“He was great,” Clement said. “I’ve been looking forward to seeing him pitch and being behind him instead of in the box. So awesome to see him work.”

Cease and Kevin Gausman became the first pair of teammates in the modern era (since 1901) to each record at least 11 strikeouts in the first two games of the season.

Gausman fanned 11 on Friday in Toronto’s 3-2 victory.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 28, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press