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Instant Reaction: Max Scherzer struggles as Blue Jays fall 7-4 to Orioles in series opener
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Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Sep 11, 2026, 22:45 EDTUpdated: Sep 11, 2026, 22:41 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays’ playoff chances are getting slimmer and slimmer.
Welcoming the Baltimore Orioles for a three-game weekend series, the Blue Jays dropped the series opener 7-4, falling to 73-75. With just 14 games remaining, the Blue Jays are running out of time and losing wiggle room. Let’s take a look at what went on in this one.
Before the Blue Jays even had a chance to bat, the Orioles took a 1-0 lead. Dylan Beavers took Max Scherzer deep on the second pitch he saw, a precursor for what was to come. The Jays had a chance to get on the board in the bottom of the first, hitting a single and drawing a one-out walk, but Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was picked off for the second out. Two batters later, Nathan Lukes was caught looking to end the inning.
This game was won in the top of the second, as the Orioles registered six consecutive hits, taking a 6-0 lead. Kazuma Okamoto got the Jays on the board in the bottom of the fourth thanks to his 31st home run of the season, then the Jays scored again in the bottom of the sixth to make it 6-2.
The Orioles answered back with a solo blast courtesy of Coby Mayo, giving them a 7-2 lead. It was until the Jays were down to their final out when they were able to make things interesting. Ernie Clement hit a double, which was followed by Brett Bateman’s first career home run.
Still down three, both George Springer and Guerrero Jr. hit a two-out single, bringing the game-tying run to the plate. Unfortunately, Alejandro Kirk grounded out to end the game, a 7-4 defeat for the Blue Jays.

Takeaways…

This one was a tough start for Max Scherzer. The veteran allowed six earned runs over five innings of work, with all six of those runs coming in the first two innings. There’s some saving grace, though, as he settled down and pitched three more innings to save the Blue Jays bullpen.
With Spencer Arrighetti pitching the bulk of Saturday’s game, the Blue Jays were able to keep their bullpen relatively fresh. They turned to Ricky Tiedemann, Braydon Fisher, Paul Seawald, and Brendon Little to get the final 12 outs of the game. Tiedemann and Little each looked impressive, striking out the side in their inning of work, while Fisher was tagged with the lone earned run.
Ultimately, the Blue Jays’ offence cost them this game. They had their chances to score, but went 1-10 with runners in scoring position while stranding nine runners. For comparison’s sake, the Orioles were 4-9 with runners in scoring position.
A bright spot of this game was Kazuma Okamoto, who hit his 31st home run and 24th double of the season. He’s been rather streaky this year, but the Blue Jays’ third baseman will be a key piece moving forward.
As will Brett Bateman. Acquired before the 2026 trade deadline for Kevin Gausman, Bateman hit his first career home run following Ernie Clement’s 31st double of the season. Bateman went 3-5, another impressive game by the centre fielder.
The Blue Jays have now lost four of their last five games. They’re still within striking distance of the Cleveland Guardians, but they’re blowing opportunities to get some wins on the board to overtake them and build a cushion.
Saturday’s game has a 3:07 PM ET start time, with Arrighetti expected to pitch the bulk of the innings. Hopefully this outing goes better than his first four since the trade.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, DFOEdmonton, and DFOCalgary. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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