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Scherzer Struggles, Jays Lose 8-2
TL;DR
Max Scherzer struggled in his start for the Toronto Blue Jays, allowing eight runs in a loss to the Minnesota Twins, ending 8-2. Despite an early lead, Scherzer's performance deteriorated after the first inning, leading to his early exit.
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. A sac fly plated a sixth and fifth and finally forced John Schneider to pull the plug. Joe Mantiply took over to try to salvage the situation. It didn’t really work, as his second pitch hit Gray and his third was lined into the left field corner by Brooks Lee for a two run double. A pair of ground outs (one of which Mantiply almost threw into right field had Vlad not made a diving save on it) stopped it there, but the Twins had extended their margin to 8-1.
The offence made an attempt to fight back in the third. Varsho hit a one out single and Vlad took his second walk, but a Jesus Sanchez K and an Okamoto fly out prevented the runners from coming home.
Mantiply stayed in the game and worked around a Luke Keaschall single to hold the score steady. Eloy Jimenez lined his first hit as a Blue Jay in their half, and Brandon Valenzuela walked after a fielder’s choice to put two on with two out. Clement hit a low liner hard but just about right into Gray’s glove at third to end the inning.
Tommy Nance looked strong in the fifth, retiring the side on eight pitches. For Toronto, Varsho lead off with a sharp double to right for his third hit of the afternoon but Bradley got the next three batters.
Mason Fluharty got the sixth and picked up two Ks in a clean inning. Andrew Morris relieved Bradley and worked around an Andres Gimenez double to keep the Jays off the board.
Louis Varland struck out the side in the seventh. Clement and Vlad managed singles in the bottom half, and a wild pitch and sac fly brought Clement home for the Jays’ second and final run.
Tyler Rogers had a single erased by a double play in the eighth, while the Jays got three hits but did not score in their half.
In the ninth, Jeff Hoffman got some work, striking out a pair. Justin Topa wrapped things up for the Twins, erasing a Sanchez single with an Okamoto double play.
Jays of the Day: nobody
Less so: Scherzer (-0.44), Sanchez (-0.12)
It’s an off day tomorrow. We’ll reconvene on Tuesday in Milwaukee. Gametime is 7:40pm ET (6:40pm local). Kevin Gausman (0-1, 2.08) will face Jacob Misiorowski (1-1, 3.31).
Q&A
What were Max Scherzer's stats in the game against the Minnesota Twins on April 12, 2026?
Max Scherzer allowed eight runs, including a home run, before being pulled from the game after the third inning.
How did the Toronto Blue Jays perform offensively in the game against the Twins?
The Blue Jays scored two runs early but struggled to add more, ultimately losing 8-2 to the Twins.
What injury was Max Scherzer dealing with during the game against the Twins?
Max Scherzer was pitching with a bruise on his forearm, which he sustained in his previous start.
Who hit the home run that contributed to the Twins' lead against the Blue Jays?
Tristan Gray hit a no-doubt home run that put the Twins ahead 3-1 in the second inning.
