Max-imum effort from veteran Scherzer spoiled in Blue Jays' extra-innings loss to Cleveland Guardians

Edmonton Journal

4 days ago

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At Cleveland's Progressive Field, veteran Max Scherzer made progress.
As long as his troublesome right thumb holds up, the Jays' starting rotation can only get better and definitely deeper.
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In his second appearance with the Blue Jays, the veteran Scherzer gave up a nine-pitch walk to Guardians leadoff hitter Steven Kwan, who saw a four-seam fastball, changeup, cutter and sinker.
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When Scherzer faced No. 2 hitter Kyle Manzardo, he began the at-bat with a curveball.
His competitive juices were palpable, but his near three-month injury absence was also evident.
Scherzer's 25-pitch first inning featured three strikeouts and one run yielded.
His fastball touched 95.2 m.p.h.
In the second inning, Daniel Schneeman hit a sharply hit ball into centre field on the first pitch, but it would be erased on a double play.
Six pitches were required to retire the side in the second inning for Scherzer.
One pitch to Mississauga's Bo Naylor would usher in the third inning.
In his second time through the order, Scherzer needed two pitches to retire Kwan.
Scherzer began to feel more at ease, even when issuing his second free pass on the evening.
Through three innings, Scherzer looked much better than the three innings he managed to produce in his debut.
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His sharpness wasn't where it needed to be, but it was to be expected.
His trademark fire was unmistakable.
Admittedly, Scherzer isn't certain how his hand will respond, which is why the term day to day truly applies to his availability.
If he can stay healthy, a big if it must be noted, coupled with the emergence of Eric Lauer, the Blue Jays may finally have a legitimate five-man rotation.
Scherzer, not surprisingly, attacked hitters.
He was called for a pitch count violation that resulted in a walk as Scherzer had runners on the corner with two outs in the fourth inning.
It proved costly as Scherzer gave up a two-run double to Gabriel Arias off a fastball that caught far too much of the plate to give Cleveland a 3-1 lead.
Scherzer came out for the fifth inning, which must be viewed as a promising sign.
Keep in mind the best of Scherzer is in the rear view, but he battles on every pitch and his sheer presence on the mound provides the Jays with a lift.
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The man is a perfectionist and the epitome of professionalism.
His 81st pitch on the night touched 95 m.p.h.
On pitch No. 83, Scherzer recorded his fourth strikeout.
All things considered, Scherzer was better than expected.
The reality is one pitch cost him two runs, triggered by that violation when he came set too soon.
A shaky start capped off by a strong finish, the Jays will gladly take this type of outing from Scherzer.
The following are three takeaways from a 5-4 loss by the Blue Jays, a game decided in extra innings, as Toronto's record dropped to 42-37.
1. No Scherzer thing
The 40-year-old Scherzer signed a one-year US $15.5 million deal in February.
In his debut with the Blue Jays, Scherzer left the game against Baltimore on March 29 after three innings because of soreness in his right lat muscle.
The next day, Toronto put Scherzer on the injured list because of inflammation in his thumb
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Coming off an injury-plagued season for the Texas Rangers in 2024, Scherzer is a three-time Cy Young winner, a two-time World Series champ and a slam dunk future hall of famer.
The biggest issues that have plagued Scherzer are is health and durability.
In fact, he hasn't managed a qualifying number of innings in a season since 2021.
He turns 41 on July 27.
To make room for Scherzer on the roster, the Jays DFAed RHP Spencer Turnbull, whose one and only start was an unmitigated disaster, a two-inning outing against the lowly Chicago White Sox on a night Turnbull gave up four runs, including a home run in an eventual 7-1 loss.
2. Vlad Show
A night after George Springer tied Bo Bichette for the club lead in homers, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. joined the party.
When he goes deep, Vlad Jr.'s longballs are of the no-doubt variety.
His 11th belt was the latest example when he turned on a pitch in the fourth inning for a solo blast that tied the game.
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3. Agent Zero
Andres Gimenez wears jersey No. 0, which seems fitting because he's providing the Jays with virtually zero offence.
Defensively, his gold glove speaks for itself.
Thursday, his throwing error allowed Jose Ramirez to take second base after the Guardians star knocked in the game's first run in the first inning.
Gimenez hit a two-out double to the opposite field in the third as the Jays had their first base runner.
Up next
The Scherzer curiosity was expected given his pedigree and potential significance to the rotation, but equally consequential is the state of Kevin Gausman, who hasn't been good. He'll start Thursday afternoon's series finale following two bad outings, the first in Philly when the right-hander gave up seven runs, including two homers, in 4.1 innings, the most recent against Arizona at Rogers Centre where Gausman gave up four runs in 5.0 innings. In his past two starts, both losses, Gausman has walked a combined seven hitters.
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