Mad Max! Scherzer brings the intensity and gets results as Jays top M’s 8-2 in Game 4

SEATTLE — Max Scherzer made his first start of the playoffs a vintage one on Thursday night.

It was a big reason why the Toronto Blue Jays have pulled even in the American League Championship Series against Seattle.

The 41-year-old was at his mound-circling, fire-breathing best at T-Mobile Park, bringing his trademark intensity up even higher in an 8-2 victory in Game 4 that turned a best-of-seven series into a best-of-three.

“He lives for this,” said Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “You have to respect that and you have to appreciate that.”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andres Gimenez homered for the Blue Jays, who led 5-1 after four innings and outhit the Mariners 11-5.

Scherzer touched a season-best 96 m.p.h. with his fastball, had great action on his breaking pitches and kept the Mariners off-balance over his 5 2/3-inning appearance.

Left off the roster for the division series, the two-time World Series champ made a triumphant return and showed his playoff mettle when the Blue Jays needed it most.

Scherzer got ahead in counts and had the Mariners consistently chasing pitches. A solo homer by Canadian Josh Naylor was the only real blip over his 87-pitch effort, which included five strikeouts and four walks.

“You’re in the biggest moment of the season right now,” Scherzer said. “These games are must-win, every single one of them, and when you get success, it’s great.”

Game 5 was scheduled for Friday afternoon in Seattle.

Scherzer hadn’t started since Sept. 24. He kept built up by working simulated games and throwing regular bullpen sessions.

Scherzer wobbled a bit in the opening frame, giving up two walks before getting Jorge Polanco on an inning-ending double play. Naylor, from Mississauga, Ont., went deep in the second but Gimenez gave Toronto a lead it wouldn’t relinquish with a two-run shot in the third inning.

Soft contact was the norm for the Mariners, who managed a couple seeing-eye singles against Scherzer after that.

The right-hander hit peak intensity when his manager came out for a mound visit in the fifth inning.

“We had a little conversation that basically I wanted to stay in the ball game but just with some other words involved,” Scherzer said. “I just knew I was strong, I knew I wanted the ball, I knew I could get outs in this situation.

“I just wanted to stay in. I wanted it.”

Schneider made a quick turnaround and Scherzer struck out Randy Arozarena to end the inning.

“I thought he was going to kill me, it was great,” Schneider said with a smile. “He locked eyes with me, both colours, as I walked out. It’s not fake. That’s the thing. It’s not fake. He has this Mad Max persona, but he backed it up tonight.

“The infielders had a good laugh too out there. And he got the job done.”

The veteran returned for the sixth inning to face the meat of the Seattle order, getting Cal Raleigh on a flyout and Julio Rodriguez on a strikeout. A walk to Polanco ended his night.

“It’s just a great effort by our team all the way around,” Scherzer said. “Our offence, our defence, our relievers. Everybody contributed tonight and that’s what makes it special.”

Before the game, injured Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander, who has been dealing with back tightness, was replaced on the roster by Joey Loperfido.

Major League Baseball approved the change, which ended Santander’s post-season.

Schneider gave Addison Barger the start in right field, moved Ernie Clement to third base and gave backup infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa the start at second.

All three players had big games.

Kiner-Falefa and Clement had two hits apiece while Barger made two great catches and threw out Naylor at third base to end the sixth inning.

Guerrero’s fifth home run of the playoffs was an opposite-field solo shot in the seventh. Toronto tacked on a couple insurance runs in the eighth.

To add a little salt in the wound, the pockets of Toronto fans in the stadium started “Let’s go Blue Jays!” chants before Seranthony Dominguez struck out Dominic Canzone to end the game.

A series that looked like it could be a sweep a few days ago is even again with the road team winning all four games.

The latest Toronto victory set up a return visit to Rogers Centre on Sunday for Game 6.

If the Blue Jays can win once more on the road, that home date will come with a World Series berth on the line.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 16, 2025.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press