Scherzer rocked as Royals hammer Blue Jays 20-1
Max Scherzer's audition for a postseason start did not go well against the Kansas City Royals on Friday.
The Toronto Blue Jays right-hander was removed in the first inning after allowing a season-high seven earned runs on seven hits, including two homers.
Kansas City went on to rout Toronto 20-1, setting a franchise record with 27 hits.
Salvador Perez career home run No. 303!
— MLB (@MLB) September 20, 2025
It comes off Max Scherzer, the same pitcher who Salvy hit his first homer off in 2011! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/BTHnG8i3Ou
Scherzer was replaced by Braydon Fisher after the Royals batted around and he gave up an extra-base hit to leadoff hitter Carter Jensen for a second time.
The three-time Cy Young winner had allowed seven or more earned runs in a game 12 times before Friday's outing.
"Everything that could go wrong went wrong. I took a haymaker to the face," Scherzer said postgame, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.
"I made some pitches and they got hits on them. Nothing you can do in those situations. I just got beat in all facets of the game.”
The Blue Jays used seven pitchers in the contest, including backup catcher Tyler Heineman, who allowed 10 earned runs on 13 hits in 1 1/3 innings.
The Blue Jays, who entered Friday with a chance to secure a playoff berth, have lost three straight games.