Yoshi notches 1st hit, 1st HR on same pitch

ST. PETERSBURG -- Yoshi Tsutsugo had to wait three extra months to make his Major League debut. He made the wait worth it on Friday.

With the Rays trailing 6-1 in the fifth inning, Tsutsugo launched a two-run opposite-field home run off Blue Jays starter Hyun Jin Ryu, giving Tsutsugo his first hit and first homer in the Majors. The exit velocity on the homer was 103.4 mph and the ball traveled 407 feet, according to Statcast.

“It was awesome being able to hit that home run,” Tsutsugo said through a translator. “But I’m frustrated that the team lost. I’ll put in my best tomorrow and drive more runs in.”

After the home run, the Rays' dugout was heard cheering in the empty ballpark. Shortstop Willy Adames was the first one to greet Tsutsugo as he neared the home dugout, and both bowed, which is their personalized celebration.

“I’m just happy that he did it today on Opening Day; it’s pretty special for him,” Adames said. “It’s going to make him be more confident and just continue to work hard, because he’s a great player and I know he’s going to hit more [home runs] with us.”

Rays manager Kevin Cash said earlier this week that he believed Tsutsugo would thrive once the regular season began, and he was proven right on Friday. Despite a left-handed pitcher on the mound, Cash had Tsutsugo hitting third in his first Opening Day. Tsutsugo went 1-for-5 on Friday.

Tsutsugo hit 205 home runs in his 10-year career in Japan. He can now add a big league homer to his career total.

“That was a bright spot for Opening Day,” Cash said. “Off the bat, from our angle, it was a no-doubter. He has a chance to be a pretty special hitter. I don’t want too much pressure on him, just be one of our guys and be one of our one through nine in our lineup, but we know we have a talented guy that can stay on lefties and also do some damage against right-handers.”