TORONTO -- Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista hit his major league-leading 50th home run Thursday, a first-inning solo blast off Seattle Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez.

Jose Bautista is the first player to hit 50 home runs since Prince Fielder and Alex Rodriguez in 2007. Brad White/Getty Images

Bautista is the 26th player in baseball history to reach the 50-home run mark in a season, and the first since Prince Fielder (50) and Alex Rodriguez (54) did it in 2007.

"It's really a big honor to be put in that elite group of hitters," Bautista said. "To tell you the truth, I really haven't let it sink in yet, I haven't thought about it too much. Once I do that, then I'll probably have more feelings to describe. Right now I'm really honored and happy."

Bautista's homer was the only offense the Blue Jays needed in a 1-0 win.

Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki also became the first player with 10 straight 200-hit seasons, breaking his own record with a fifth-inning single.

"We got to see some things happen today that I've never seen before," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said after the game. "It's a day I'll always remember."

After fouling back a 2-0 pitch, Bautista hammered the next one into the left-field bullpen. All 50 of his homers have been to left or left center. He exchanged hugs and fist bumps with his teammates before coming out of the dugout for a curtain call and trying to get the attention of his parents, who were in the crowd.

"I tried to wave at them," Bautista said. "Everybody was standing up so I don't think they could see me."

Bautista has hit 26 home runs since the All-Star break, a new Blue Jays record.

The blast was Bautista's major league-high 31st at home this season, breaking Carlos Delgado's Blue Jays record set in 2000.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.