Max Scherzer delivered a vintage performance Thursday night, propelling the Toronto Blue Jays to an 8–2 victory over the Seattle Mariners in Game 4 of the American League Championship Series. With the win at T-Mobile Park, Toronto leveled the best-of-seven series at two games apiece, turning the showdown into a best-of-three battle.
The 41-year-old ace, making his first playoff start this year, was back to his intense, mound-stalking self. Scherzer’s fastball reached a season-high 96 mph, and his sharp breaking pitches kept Seattle hitters off balance through 5⅔ innings. He struck out five, walked four, and gave up just one earned run — a solo homer by Canadian Josh Naylor.
“He lives for this,” said manager John Schneider. “You have to respect that and appreciate that.”
Toronto’s offence backed him up early. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Andres Gimenez both homered, giving the Jays a 5–1 lead by the fourth inning. Kiner-Falefa and Ernie Clement added two hits each, while rookie Addison Barger shone in right field with clutch catches and a pinpoint throw to cut down Naylor at third. Guerrero added his fifth postseason homer in the seventh, and Toronto piled on two more runs in the eighth to seal the deal.
Scherzer’s intensity peaked in the fifth inning when Schneider visited the mound. “We had a little conversation,” Scherzer said with a grin. “I knew I was strong and wanted the ball. I wanted to stay in.” Schneider left him in, and Scherzer struck out Randy Arozarena to end the inning, glaring with his trademark heterochromatic stare.
“He locked eyes with me — both colours — and it wasn’t fake,” Schneider joked. “He has this Mad Max persona, but he backed it up tonight.”
The win erased what once looked like a potential Seattle sweep. With both teams trading blows, Game 5 was set for Friday afternoon in Seattle. If the Jays can take one more on the road, they’ll return to Rogers Centre on Sunday with a World Series berth on the line.