In potentially his final career start, Max Scherzer struck out seven over seven-plus innings and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Cincinnati Reds 5-1 Sunday afternoon in the teams’ season finale.
The 42-year-old Scherzer (4-9) allowed one run, six hits and one walk to earn his 225th career win and boost his strikeout total to 3,557.
He left to a standing ovation and hugs from manager John Schneider on the mound after walking Oswaldo Cabrera to lead off the eighth. Mason Fluharty replaced Scherzer.
George Springer, who might have also played his last game, also received a standing ovation when he was replaced in the third after a leadoff double.
Brandon Valenzuela hit a two-run home run for the Blue Jays (79-83) and Charles McAdoo added a solo shot in the rubber match of the three-game series.
Scherzer received a long ovation before making his first pitch. He has yet to decide if he will pitch again next year.
The 37-year-old Springer, whose six-year contract is expiring, was loudly cheered before he led off the home first as DH.
Toronto took a 2-0 lead in the second against Cincinnati starter Brandon Williamson (5-5). Davis Schneider led off with a walk, then Valenzuela hit a 2-0 cutter to center for his ninth homer of the season. Carlos Jorge’s glove came off on his leaping attempt at the wall.
The Reds (75-87) scored once in the third. Cabrera doubled and scored when Jorge scooped a single to center.
Toronto answered with two runs in the bottom of the third. Springer led off with a double to left that bounced past JJ Bleday. Sean Keys replaced Springer as a pinch runner. Brett Bateman singled, Kazuma Okamoto walked and McAdoo hit a sacrifice fly to right. Schneider’s groundout to third made it 4-1.
Williamson allowed four runs, four hits and three walks with three strikeouts in three innings.
McAdoo hit his third homer of the season with two outs in the eighth against Carson Spiers.
Toronto’s Paul Sewald pitched around a double in the ninth.
