Blue Jays top Phillies 1-0 in Scherzer's first start of pre-season

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) delivers a pitch against the Los Angeles Dodgers during first inning Game 7 World Series playoff MLB baseball action in Toronto on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

CLEARWATER — Jonatan Clase hit into a force out at second base in the ninth inning that scored Rafael Lantigua as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 1-0 in Max Scherzer’s return to the mound on Saturday in exhibition play.

Scherzer pitched four hitless innings, with one strikeout and one walk given up in his first start of the pre-season since re-signing with Toronto earlier in the week.

Chase Lee, Josh Fleming, Lazaro Estrada and Connor Seabold followed Scherzer in relief.

Fleming surrendered both Phillies hits, while Estrada picked up the win and Seabold earned the save.

It was a second straight win for the Blue Jays, who cruised past Pittsburgh 9-2 on Friday.

Toronto has two split-squad games on Sunday. Against Baltimore in Sarasota, Fla., and versus Detroit in Dunedin, Fla.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2026.

The Canadian Press