Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer gets milestone strikeout before Phillies get to him

The Blue Jays have an off day Thursday before a weekend series against the visiting New York Yankees.

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Published Jun 10, 2026  •  Last updated 9 minutes ago  •  4 minute read

Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays records his 3500th career strikeout by fanning Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies in the first inning of their MLB game at Rogers Centre on June 10, 2026 in Toronto. Photo by Cole Burston /Getty Images

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As the odometer continues to increase, it’s a veritable unknown as to how long veteran right-hander Max Scherzer will pitch.

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His competitive fire still burns, his unwavering commitment to his craft undeniable, and his willingness to embrace any challenge second to none.

Father Time, as it’s been often mentioned and proven, is undefeated, and eventually Scherzer’s time will expire.

In Wednesday night’s series finale against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies, the soon-to-be 42-year-old made his sixth start of the season and first since April 24, when Scherzer was touched for six runs and three home runs in 2.1 innings.

A forearm issue coupled with ankle inflammation landed Scherzer on the injured list.

He was officially reinstated in the hours leading up to Wednesday’s first pitch, a move that necessitated a corresponding move, one that featured righty reliever Connor Seabold being DFAed.

History was made when Scherzer faced his first hitter in Kyle Schwarber.

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Only 10 players in baseball history had recorded 3,500-career strikeouts.

Mad Max became the 11th such player to reach the milestone when he struck out Schwarber.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who was back at first base and hitting second in the order, immediately acknowledged the moment by taking off his glove to start an ovation as fans and teammates applauded.

Two hitters later, reality struck when Bryce Harper sent a ball deep into left field that bounced on top of the wall twice before landing into the Jays’ bullpen.

Scherzer needed 25 pitches to record three outs.

Two innings later, Scherzer gave up a three-run blast to Alec Bohm.

And one inning later, Scherzer’s day had ended. He allowed five earned runs in 3.1 IP, sending his season ERA to 10.23.

While history was made, one is left to wonder whether Scherzer will soon be history, at least when it comes to his days with the Blue Jays.

Wednesday was supposed to be Trey Yesavage’s start, but the decision was made to push his outing to Friday.

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Big picture, one is left to wonder how much is left in Scherzer’s tank.

The following are three takeaways on a night the Blue Jays lost the series rubber match, 7-4, a night when Vlad Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning to record only his second RBI in the past 11 games, a night that ended on a successful ABS challenge initiated by the Phillies.

CHANGING TIMES

George Springer, who was given Tuesday night off, was back in the starting lineup at DH.

He was also back at leadoff and grounded out on the first pitch he saw.

Vlad Jr. followed Springer in the order and reached base on a single after he ended a four-game hitless streak Tuesday in his team’s 3-2 walk-off win.

Ernie Clement batted third with Kazuma Okamoto at cleanup.

The bottom of the order had Charles McAdoo in the No. 7 hole followed by Myles Straw and Nathan Lukes as Philly started left-hander Jesus Luzardo.

Having faced Cristopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler in the opening two games, Luzardo seemed like a big step down.

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Against Sanchez and Wheeler, the Jays managed a combined three runs.

Through four innings Wednesday, Luzardo kept the Jays scoreless, while giving up the lone hit to Vlad Jr.

NO BULL AS JAYS EMPTY THE PEN

Scherzer’s short outing forced the activation of the bullpen.

First to be summoned would be Mason Fluharty, who gave up one earned run to complete the fourth inning started by Scherzer.

At least Tommy Nance started a clean inning in the fifth. Nance gave up one hit and zero runs.

Up next was Jeff Hoffman, who pitched a scoreless inning Tuesday.

Hoffman entered Wednesday’s game in the sixth inning and needed 21 pitches to record three outs in a scoreless frame.

The Jays went with Braydon Fisher to begin the seventh inning.

When he struck out Brandon Marsh, it was Fisher’s 100th K in his 86th career inning.

He soon was relieved by Spencer Miles.

Tyler Rogers became the sixth reliever used by Jays when he started the ninth inning.

He ended it by leaving Vlad Jr. in awe as Rogers used a backhand glove flip to get the ball to Guerrero to record the third out.

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PREMATURE BASE-RUNNING

The Jays’ best early chance to score, in the fifth inning, was fleeting.

With two out, Straw at second, Lukes at first, and Vlad Jr. at the plate, Luzardo threw a pitch catcher JT Realmuto couldn’t control.

Straw thought about advancing to third, but decided otherwise, while Lukes took off from first base anticipating Straw would attempt to take the extra bag.

The end result was a 2-4-3 putout of Lukes to end the inning, adding credence to that saying that goes along the lines of he who hesitates is lost or in this case is out.

Straw had a leadoff single in the seventh that sparked Toronto’s three-run rally.

Straw had a three-hit game, a season high, on a night the Jays’ offence produced eight hits, but none went for extra bases.

UP NEXT

Thursday is an off day for the Blue Jays as they get set to play host to the New York Yankees for a three-game weekend series beginning Friday night; the teams met in the Big Apple last month when the Bronx Bombers took the opening two games before the Jays responded by winning the final two to earn a series split; Toronto outscored the Yankees 14-13 during the four-game set and won its two games by a combined 4-1, including a 2-0 shutout in the series finale.

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