Scherzer’s season finale leaves retirement question open
The Blue Jays starter struck out seven in a 5–1 win over Cincinnati, then left to a standing ovation after initially resisting removal.
Max Scherzer closed Toronto’s season with seven-plus innings and seven strikeouts as the Blue Jays beat the Cincinnati Reds 5–1. The win was the 225th of his career, and his 3,557 strikeouts rank ninth in Major League Baseball history.
A sellout crowd of 42,131 gave Scherzer a standing ovation before the game as he took the mound alone. He saluted the crowd with a wave.
When manager Jon Schneider moved to remove him, Scherzer initially resisted. He came out an inning later, embraced Schneider on the way to the dugout and then hugged his family in the stands.
Scherzer, a two-time World Series champion and three-time Cy Young Award winner, has said he will decide during the off-season whether to retire. No decision has been announced.
