Scherzer Struggles, Jays Lose 8-2
Apr 12, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Max Scherzer (31) flips a ball out of his glove before throwing a pitch to the Minnesota Twins during the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E.
Sokolowski-Imagn Images Remember a month ago when we were a little worried about how they were going to handle the rotation with so many pitchers around? How young we were. The offence got on the board right away this afternoon.
Ernie Clement lead off with a line double to left, and Daulton Varsho cashed him in with a ground ball into right field before the Taj Bradley could record an out. Vladimir Guerrero jr. and Kazuma Okamoto would add walks, but a double play and a strikeout kept them from adding on.
Bradley bounced back, striking out the side in the second. Max Scherzer, pitching with an ugly bruise on his forearm after leaving his last start early with discomfort in the area, had a 1-2-3 first inning but ran into trouble in the second. He walked Josh Bell and hit Matt Wallner to put two aboard with none out.
After rallying to get a strikeout, he gave up a no doubter home run into the right field sportsbook (ugh) to Tristan Gray, jumping the Twins in front 3-1. His struggles continued in the third. Kody Clemens lead off with a solo home run, and three singles and a walk loaded the bases and then forced a fifth run across.