Scherzer leads rolling Blue Jays past Mariners, into pivotal series against Guardians

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer (31) reacts after moving into sole possession of ninth place on the all-time strike-outs list against the Seattle Mariners during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto, on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays will roll into Cleveland in style to begin a critical three-game series against the Guardians on Tuesday.

The Blue Jays’ offence showed up in a three-game weekend sweep of the Seattle Mariners, outscoring the visitors 19-4. Toronto’s starting pitching was also impeccable, capped off by a stunning seven-inning shutout from 42-year-old Max Scherzer in his club’s 7-0 win in the finale.

The seven innings, 10 strikeouts and 97 pitches were season-highs for Scherzer (2-7), who won for the first time since March 31. The veteran righty also moved past Gaylord Perry into ninth on Major League Baseball’s all-time strikeout list with No. 3,535.

“It was kind of like hopping back in a time machine,” said Toronto manager John Schneider, who added Scherzer’s effort was “vintage Max.”

“You know, he’s 42. He’s throwing 95 (m.p.h). He prepares. He competes. You kind of forget this is kind of like middle of May for him in terms of number of starts.”

This was Scherzer’s 13th start. He missed significant time with forearm tendinitis, a wonky left ankle and back spasms.

He struck out the side to begin the game. He allowed a second-inning walk to Taylor Ward and a two-out fifth-inning double off the top of the right-field wall to Cal Raleigh. After Raleigh’s near miss, Scherzer retired the final 10 Mariners he faced.

“Right off the bat I could tell he was there,” said Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk, who delivered a two-run homer in the first inning.

Kirk was asked what it was like to catch a Scherzer outing like that.

“It feels good,” he said. “But it’s not easy. You know that type of player Max is. You have to bring your A game.”

While Schneider felt it was Scherzer’s best outing in his two years in Toronto, Scherzer retorted he only cares about the post-season. The Blue Jays (68-70) remained 1 1/2 games behind the Guardians (69-68) in the race for the final American League wild-card spot with 24 games remaining.

“This is what you play for,” Scherzer said. “We’re in the thick of it. The pressure is on.

“I love these moments.”

Since July 23, the Blue Jays have gone 22-14. Only the AL East front-running Tampa Bay Rays have a better record in the AL during this span at 23-12.

Newcomer Brett Bateman, 24, has played a role in the turnaround since being acquired at the Aug. 3 trade deadline from the Chicago Cubs system. He walked twice, scored a run, advanced a runner with a sacrifice bunt and singled to reach base three or more times in his sixth game.

His 26 hits are the second-most in franchise history in a player’s first 19 games, trailing only Bo Bichette (29 hits in 19 games in 2019). In his 14 games batting leadoff, the speedy Bateman has batted .368 with three extra-base hits, five RBI, eight runs scored, five walks and three stolen bases.

The Saint Paul, Minn., native has swiftly become a fan favourite and a favourite of Buck Martinez, the former Blue Jays catcher, manager and broadcaster who was inducted into the team’s new Hall of Excellence on Saturday.

Martinez made a point in his post-ceremony presser about how impressed he was with Bateman after the rookie approached Martinez to congratulate him on his career and what he meant to the franchise.

“It shows the character of who he is,” Schneider said. “He understands what big league baseball is all about. He’s an easy guy to like.

“He’s getting on base, running the bases well. He’s very quickly become very likable by the guys, and obviously by the fans. He’s a gamer. Really, really glad we picked him up.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 30, 2026.

Tim Wharnsby, The Canadian Press