Gotta See It: Blue Jays’ Clement walks off Athletics with RBI single in 11th

Watch as Toronto Blue Jays infielder Ernie Clement smacks a ball into left-centre field to drive in Nathan Lukes in the bottom of the 11th inning against the Athletics to secure an 8-7 walk-off victory.

Another day, another No. 2 hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Left fielder Jesús Sánchez will get his first start for the team, batting in between George Springer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., as the Blue Jays aim to sweep the Athletics on Sunday (Sportsnet, Sportsnet+, 1:30 p.m. ET / 10:30 a.m. PT).

Sánchez, who was acquired from the Houston Astros early in spring training for Joey Loperfido, made his Blue Jays debut Saturday as pinch-hitter for Myles Straw. He went 1-for-2 with two runs and an RBI in the 8-7 extra-innings win.

Meanwhile, catcher Tyler Heineman is set for his season debut in the nine-hole as Alejandro Kirk gets a day off.

Heineman had a solid stint as the Blue Jays’ primary backup last season, appearing in 61 games with a .289 batting average, three home runs and 20 RBIs.

Starter Eric Lauer will get the nod on the mound for his first start of the season. The left-hander enjoyed a breakout 2025 for the Blue Jays, going 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 102 strikeouts over 104.2 innings.

But he’ll be in tough to replicate the Blue Jays’ first two starters after Kevin Gausman punched out 11 over six innings before Dylan Cease struck out 12 across 5.1 frames.

The Athletics will counter with 23-year-old righty Luis Morales, who debuted last season with a 4-3 record and 3.14 ERA over 10 games (nine starts).

The Blue Jays continue their season-opening homestand Monday when they begin a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies.