Scherzer gives up three homers as Blue Jays fall to Guardians in series opener

Blue Jays pitcher Max Scherzer, centre, leaves the mound in the third inning of a game against the Cleveland Guardians in Toronto on April 24, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jon Blacker

The Cleveland Guardians took advantage of an ineffective Max Scherzer on Friday night, scoring five runs in the first inning of an 8-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

Daniel Schneemann hit a leadoff homer and Angel Martinez added a two-run shot off the veteran right-hander, who threw 38 pitches in the opening frame.

Martinez went deep again in the third inning for his first career multihomer game.

The blast ended the night for Scherzer (1-3), who allowed six hits, three walks and seven earned runs. His earned-run average jumped to 9.64 from 7.16.

Jesus Sanchez and Kazuma Okamoto hit solo homers for Toronto (10-15) off Guardians starter Gavin Williams (4-1), who allowed six earned runs and seven hits over six innings.

Andres Gimenez hit a two-run single for the Blue Jays.

Hunter Gaddis threw a clean seventh inning for the Guardians (15-12) and Edmonton native Erik Sabrowski worked a 1-2-3 eighth.

Another Canadian, Vancouver native Cade Smith, gave up two singles before closing it out for his sixth save.

A sellout crowd of 41,671 took in the opener of the three-game series.

TAKEAWAYS

Blue Jays: Outfielder Nathan Lukes left the game after hitting a double in the first inning. He was removed due to left hamstring discomfort. Lukes was replaced by pinch-runner Davis Schneider, who played in left field with Sanchez moving to right.

Guardians: It was the first time in Schneemann’s career that he led off a game with a home run. It was his third homer of the season.

KEY MOMENT

In the third inning, Martinez fouled off seven pitches and drew three balls before turning on a Scherzer fastball for his fifth homer of the year.

KEY STAT

It was the 1,000th career game for Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

COMING UP

The three-game series continues Saturday with right-hander Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.54 ERA) scheduled to start against Cleveland left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 3.20).

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2026.

Gregory Strong, The Canadian Press